Detroit Lions News & Rumors

Lions’ Aidan Hutchinson Receives Full Medical Clearance

Aidan Hutchinson‘s rehab process in complete. When speaking to the media on Thursday, the Lions’ top edge rusher said he has received full medical clearance.

“I didn’t really have any setbacks,” Hutchinson said when reflecting on his recovery (via ESPN’s Eric Woodyard). “It was just a gradual climb. I always knew I was gonna be back.”

This update comes as little surprise, as last month the 24-year-old said he had completed his rehab. Now that his final evaluations have checked out, Hutchinson will be able to take part in OTAs in advance of mandatory minicamp next month and training camp this summer. The news of a full recovery is of course also relevant as it pertains to a potential long-term extension.

2025 marks the first offseason in which Hutchinson is eligible for a second contract. The former No. 2 pick is on the books for the next two years based on the Lions’ easy decision to pick up his fifth-year option, something which has him on track to collect $18.72M in 2026. A multi-year deal will cost much more than that on an annual basis given where the pass rush market stands and Hutchinson’s early success. Surpassing Myles Garrett in yearly compensation ($40MM) may be necessary, and Lions general manager Brad Holmes is aware a monster pact is in store in this situation.

After finishing as the runner-up in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, Hutchinson posted 11.5 sacks and a league-leading 62 QB pressures in 2023. Another high-end season was taking shape in 2024, with the Michigan product notching 7.5 sacks through five games. A broken leg ended his season, though, and with the Lions being upset in the divisional round of the playoffs the possibility of a Super Bowl return became a moot point.

Hutchinson will be reprise his role as a foundational member of the Lions’ defense in general and pass rush group in particular in 2025. Detroit will aim for better health on that side of the ball this season, and barring any new developments on that front Hutchinson will be at full strength well in advance of the campaign.

The Most Lucrative ILB Contract In Each Franchise’s History

The 49ers have again made Fred Warner the NFL’s highest-paid off-ball linebacker. The franchise did this in 2021 as well. A team that has employed All-Pro NaVorro Bowman and Hall of Famer Patrick Willis over the past 15 years, the 49ers have spent on the high end to fortify this position. Other clubs, however, have been far more hesitant to unload significant cash to staff this job.

The $20MM-per-year linebacker club consists of only two players (Warner, Roquan Smith), but only four surpass $15MM per year presently. Last year saw the Jaguars and Jets (Foye Oluokun, C.J. Mosley) trim their priciest ILBs’ salaries in exchange for guarantees, and the Colts did not make it too far with Shaquille Leonard‘s big-ticket extension. Although some contracts handed out this offseason created optimism about this stubborn market, franchises’ pasts here do not depict a trend of paying second-level defenders.

Excluding rookie contracts and arranged by guaranteed money, here is (via OvertheCap) the richest contract each franchise has given to an off-ball ‘backer:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Milano’s first extension (in 2021) brought more in overall value and fully guaranteed money, but the 2023 pact provided more in total guarantees

Carolina Panthers

Shaq Thompson‘s 2019 extension brought a higher AAV ($13.54MM), but Kuechly’s included more in guarantees

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Dre Greenlaw‘s 2025 contract (three years, $31.5MM) brought a higher AAV but a lower guarantee

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Azeez Al-Shaair checks in atop franchise history in AAV ($11.33MM) but fell short of McKinney’s in guarantees

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Rolando McClain‘s 2010 rookie contract, agreed to in the final year before the rookie-scale system debuted, checked in higher in terms of guarantees ($22.83MM)

Los Angeles Chargers

Kenneth Murray‘s rookie contract (a fully guaranteed $12.97MM) narrowly eclipses this deal

Los Angeles Rams

Mark Barron‘s 2016 contract brought a higher AAV ($9MM) but a lower guarantee

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

  • Jerod Mayo; December 17, 2011: Five years, $48.5MM ($27MM guaranteed)

Robert Spillane‘s $11MM AAV leads the way at this position in New England, but the recently dismissed HC’s contract brought more guaranteed money

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Blake Martinez‘s free agency deal included a higher AAV ($10.25MM) but a lower guaranteee

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Warner secured more guaranteed money on this extension than he did on his five-year 2021 deal ($40.5MM guaranteed)

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Jamin Davis‘ fully guaranteed rookie contract brought a higher guarantee ($13.79MM)

Lions Sign First-Round DT Tyleik Williams

The Lions have already been busy signing members of their seven-man draft class. Today they inked their largest contract of the group, agreeing to terms with first-round defensive tackle Tyleik Williams.

Williams spent four years at Ohio State, appearing in 51 total contests. Despite not being a starter as a freshman, Williams flashed incredible potential in the defensive line rotation, notching five sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. His contributions dropped in his sophomore season, but he became a full-time starter in his third year. As a starter for the Buckeyes, Williams logged 5.5 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, and six passes defensed in his junior and senior seasons.

Listed at 6-foot-3, 330 pounds, there’s hope that Williams can command multiple blockers when he’s playing at his best. He uses his pre-snap intelligence and imposing frame to stack blockers on the line and disrupt running lanes, making him an outstanding asset for a team that already fielded a top-five rush defense in 2024.

Because of injuries along the defensive line, the Lions were frequently linked to defensive line prospects, though it was more often defensive end prospects, since the team returns both D.J. Reader and Alim McNeill. The team also re-signed former second-round pick Levi Onwuzurike to a one-year deal. Because of this there may not be an immediate role for Williams in Detroit, but the rookie will surely be counted on moving forward.

Williams is the sixth drafted rookie to sign their initial four-year contract in Detroit, leaving only Georgia offensive guard Tate Ratledge, who was selected in the second round. Here’s a breakdown of the team’s 2025 draft class:

NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/20/25

Today’s draft pick signings:

Detroit Lions

Kansas City Chiefs

The Lions continue to chip away at their draft class, with only their first-round pick (DT Tyleik Williams) and second-round pick (G Tate Ratledge) remaining unsigned. The Lions clearly have high hopes for the latest signing, as the team used the 70th-overall pick on Isaac TeSlaa. The wideout had his most productive collegiate season in 2024, finishing with 545 receiving yards and three touchdowns. The rookie may have a tough time carving out a role on a deep depth chart in 2025, but he could eventually work his way into the starting lineup next to Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.

Nohl Williams led all of college football with seven interceptions last season, and the Chiefs were quick to scoop him up with the 85th pick in this year’s draft. The Chiefs added Kristian Fulton in free agency this year, so the rookie will likely be eyeing a backup role to begin the 2025 campaign. With the signing, the Chiefs’ only remaining unsigned draft pick is second-round DT Omarr Norman-Lott.

DB Notes: 49ers, Gordon, Lions, Colts, Titans

The 49ers‘ decision to let Charvarius Ward walk in free agency points to Renardo Green receiving an extended opportunity to become a full-time starter opposite Deommodore Lenoir. Extended months before Ward’s departure, Lenoir has worked as both a boundary and slot corner. His $17.96MM-per-year contract, which checks in far north of the slot-only market, reflects this versatility. But the 49ers have been unable to find a pure slot option since K’Waun Williams departed in 2022. The team will give third-round pick Upton Stout a shot to buck that trend, according to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco.

Standing 5-foot-8, Stout profiles as a slot performer. He excelled in the role in a college career spent at North Texas and Western Kentucky. Stout also led all DBs in the gauntlet drill and bench press (21 reps) at the Combine, creating an interesting profile. The 49ers’ issues in the slot have prompted them to use Day 2 picks on two corners (Green, Stout) since 2024; Stout proving up to the task would stand to limit Lenoir’s inside work. It will be interesting to see if the 49ers will keep their top cover man on the perimeter.

Here is the latest from NFL secondaries:

  • Kyler Gordon‘s $13.3MM-per-year deal set the market for slot patrolmen recently. That deal checks in more than $11MM south of Jaycee Horn‘s extension and a whopping $16MM-plus lower than where Derek Stingley Jr. has taken the boundary CB market. While a recent Trade Rumors Front Office post highlighted the value teams receive when they identify a quality slot defender, the Bears are not committed to keeping Gordon inside. New Bears DC Dennis Allen said (via ChicagoBears.com’s Larry Mayer) Gordon will train at safety and at outside corner in his scheme, as the team looks to increase its recently extended defender’s usage rate. Gordon played 97% of Chicago’s defensive snaps as a rookie, but upon shifting to more of a slot role in 2023, the former second-round pick has not cleared 80% in a season since.
  • The Lions will have 2024 second-round pick Ennis Rakestraw train on the outside in Kelvin Sheppard‘s first DC offseason, per Detroit Football Network’s Justin Rogers. Playing only 46 defensive snaps as a rookie, the 5-11 CB received what amounted to a redshirt year. The Lions used a premium pick on Rakestraw, though he does not look to have a path to a starting job in a secondary that will feature Terrion Arnold, D.J. Reed and Amik Robertson as regulars.
  • Detroit also added some depth in Avonte Maddox, a longtime Eagles slot corner who drifted to a backup role after a slew of injuries. Maddox will be expected to serve as a backup in the slot and at safety, according to Lions safeties coach Jim O’Neil (via Rogers). Maddox, who did make a pivotal pass breakup in Super Bowl LIX, saw his snap share drop to 33% last season — after he missed most of 2023. The eighth-year veteran is on a one-year, $1.42MM deal ($1.2MM guaranteed).
  • Titans third-round pick Kevin Winston, per HC Brian Callahan, is expected to be cleared for training camp after sustaining a partial ACL tear last year. Winston, who suffered the injury in early September, underwent knee surgery but had recovered in time to run at the Penn State pro day. The Titans chose Winston with the No. 82 overall pick.
  • The Colts roster one of the NFL’s best slot corners, and Kenny Moore is going into his ninth season with the team. Indianapolis, however, may be grooming an heir apparent. They team is likely to have third-round pick Justin Walley begin his offseason in the slot, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes. Moore’s three-year, $30MM contract features a fully guaranteed 2025 salary but no guarantees beyond this year. The Pro Bowl defender, who has protected the Colts at one CB spot while they have dealt with enduring issues on the perimeter, is going into his age-30 season.

Lions Tried To Trade Up For Edge Rusher

Despite needing some depth on the edge, the Lions waited until the sixth round to address the position in last month’s draft.

That wasn’t for a lack of trying. Detroit traded up twice on Day 2, but general manager Brad Holmes said that he made several more attempts to move up throughout the draft. One of those potential trades was targeting an edge rusher in the first round, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano, though the deal fell through and the Lions stayed at No. 28 to take Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams.

It’s unclear who Holmes’ exact target would have been. The draft’s top edge rusher, Abdul Carter, was taken with the third overall pick by the Giants, far out of the Lions’ range. Mykel Williams, Jalon Walker, and Shemar Stewart were all selected between the 11th and 17th picks, and the Falcons leaped the Lions – and a dozen other teams – to snag James Pearce Jr. at No. 26.

More discernible is why Holmes didn’t pull the trigger on a deal. Trading into the teens would’ve likely cost at least a second-rounder; a pick in the early 20s would have a more reasonable price. It’s also possible that Detroit couldn’t outbid Atlanta for the 26th pick. The Falcons have picked in the top 10 in four of the last five drafts and gave up a future first-rounder in their deal with the Rams.

The Lions’ newfound success means they’re unlikely to be drafting so high next year, making it hard to match the Falcons’ offer even if they wanted to. Concerns about Pierce’s drive and attitude also made him a questionable fit under Dan Campbell. Detroit then drafted Boise State’s Ahmed Hassanein in the seventh round (No. 196) and signed undrafted free agent Keith Cooper Jr. out of Houston to bolster their edge room, though they could still use another reliable veteran.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/13/25

Today’s minor moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints

San Francisco 49ers

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/12/25

Here are the latest minor moves from around the NFL:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Chicago Bears

  • Signed: CB Jeremiah Walker
  • Placed on Exempt/International Player list: P Tory Taylor

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

  • Signed: LB Jordan Turner, WR Kyrese White, LS Zach Triner, TE Cole Fotheringham
  • Waived: CB Kendall Bohler, LB K.J. Cloyd, NT Christian Dowell, TE Thomas Yassmin
  • Placed on Exempt/International Player list: P Jeremy Crawshaw

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

  • Signed: QB Taylor Elgersma
  • Released: OL Marquis Hayes

Indianapolis Colts

  • Signed: C Mose Vavao
  • Waived: DT Joe Evans

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Signed: WR Dalevon Campbell, LB Kana’i Mauga
  • Waived: OL Bucky Williams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

  • Signed: DT Isaiah Iton, G Mehki Butler, DT Wilfried Pene
  • Waived: OT Cole Birdow

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

  • Signed: CB T.J. Moore
  • Waived: DB R.J. Delancey, DB Tommy McCormick

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

  • Signed: TE Drake Dabney,WR TJ Sheffield
  • Waived: CB Virgil Lemons, S Jerrin Thompson

Hoyland converted 79.3% of his field goal attempts for the Wyoming Cowboys across the last five years. He was ultra-consistent on extra points with 147 makes on 148 tries. Hoyland will compete with sixth-round pick Tyler Loop for the Ravens’ kicking job after the team released Justin Tucker.

Sheffield brings some much-needed experience to the Dolphins’ cornerback room, though he hasn’t started since 2020. He could provide crucial veteran depth in Miami, especially if Jalen Ramsey is traded.

Elgersma was the starting quarterback at Wilfried Laurier University in Ontario, Canada, for the last three years. In 2024, he won the Hec Crighton Trophy – the Canadian equivalent to the Heisman – and earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl, the first-ever for a Canadian QB. Elgersma was drafted in the second round of the 2025 CFL Draft by the Winnepeg Blue Bombers, but a successful tryout with the Packers will give him a chance at making an NFL roster.

Lions Add 10 UDFAs

The Lions added seven rookies to their roster via the draft. That group has been joined by the following 10 undrafted free agent signings:

Meeks’ pact contains $200K in total guarantees, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. That figure includes a $20K signing bonus. After spending his first three seasons at Georgia in a depth capacity, Meeks transferred to Syracuse last offseason. That paved the way for a breakthrough campaign (78-1,021-7 statline), one which has landed him the chance to compete for a roster spot this summer.

Tyus followed a similar career path by seeing sparse usage during his three-year tenure at Northwestern. Upon transferring out of the Big Ten and into the MAC, he took on a much larger role for Ohio. The 6-1, 220-pounder rushed for nine touchdowns in 2024 (after scoring two in his first three seasons) and racked up 1,352 scrimmage yards. Tyus will look to earn a spot on special teams to avoid cutdowns at the end of training camp.

While many of the league’s most lucrative UDFA deals were coming together in the aftermath of the draft, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reported Keith Cooper Jr. had agreed to a contract including a $20K signing bonus and $125K in salary guarantees. However, the Houston edge rusher is listed as as a tryout player for the Lions’ rookie minicamp. As a result, he has not yet signed a deal.

NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/9/25

We saw a busy day of 2025 NFL Draft pick signings today. Here are the mid- to late-round picks who inked their four-year rookie deals:

Arizona Cardinals

Buffalo Bills

Cincinnati Bengals

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders