A month into his sophomore NFL season, Aidan Hutchinson is living up to the hype.
The No. 2 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft has been a godsend for the Detroit Lions’ pass rush. In just under five games, Hutchinson’s already amassed seven quarterback hits, three-and-a-half sacks, and two tackles-for-loss. He’s arguably the best player on a rising Detroit squad that resembles an NFC contender. But it’s not just Hutchinson’s pass-rush prowess that sets him apart.
We have enough of a sample size now to understand he’s good for a game-changing interception now and then. Take Hutchinson’s one-handed pick (without gloves) against the Carolina Panthers as a perfect example of Hutchinson’s exceptional abilities:
This is not normal.
📺: #CARvsDET on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/LxW25sxi72 pic.twitter.com/8RfwiYBIPP— NFL (@NFL) October 8, 2023
For context, Hutchinson is listed at 6-foot-7, 265 pounds. Getting picks like this for a person of his size is definitely not part of the job description. But in 22 career stars, the budding franchise player now has four interceptions. That’s more than most starting cornerbacks who, theoretically, see the ball more often when it’s thrown in their direction.
No wonder the Lions are a powerhouse again. They have stars like Hutchinson going above and beyond.
This is how Twitter reacted
Why did Young throw this pass? Great play by Hutch but this ball should have gone straight into the ground https://t.co/wqRAo6rPeu
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) October 8, 2023
Give bro some TE reps 😭 https://t.co/i7xlJhU829
— Michael Walton II (@ZenMasterMike) October 8, 2023
Once again, Hutchinson is a difference maker. Yet, The Jaguars drafted Travon Walker who has yet to show anything. Aidan Hutchinson makes plays EVERY week for Detroit. He’s a stud. Should be in a Jags uniform. https://t.co/XMGc0z3qcE
— Andrew Shaw (@ashaw_99) October 8, 2023
He’s a bad, bad man!! https://t.co/JOzuM1yKpn
— Rachel Larson (@RachelJean11) October 8, 2023
How the Jags passed on this guy is beyond me https://t.co/JF8MLmqANR
— Michael Brooks (@CobraGolf1) October 8, 2023
The real #1 pick of that draft https://t.co/0sztH9EDOY
— Jared Goff Stan Account (@PatEdwardHagan) October 8, 2023
Aidan Hutchinson has now tied for the team lead in interceptions since he was drafted last year lol
— kyle meinke (@kmeinke) October 8, 2023
Aidan Hutchinson interception. This guy is a flat-out superstar.
Let's not argue about it anymore.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) October 8, 2023
Oh wow. Aidan Hutchinson is the new goat. Unreal snag pic.twitter.com/KCNYZPVoot
— Andrew Steele (@andrewsteeled) October 8, 2023