Lions' Aidan Hutchinson Talks Super Bowl Pursuit, NFC North and More in B/R Interview

Aidan Hutchinson isn't necessarily defining his 2024 season by whether he leads the league in sacks.

But he wouldn't mind doing so.

"I go into every year and my aspirations are always very high," the Detroit Lions pass-rusher told Bleacher Report following Monday's win over the Seattle Seahawks. "So, of course, it would be great.

"But I'm just taking this whole thing week-by-week and just being completely invested in every moment. Because I'm well aware that it's a long season. Some games, like the last one, you're fighting and clawing all game and you don't get one, but we got the win so it's all better. I'm just taking it week-by-week."

Hutchinson was already a star before this season.

After all, he was the No. 2 overall pick of the 2022 NFL draft and finished second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting in his first year. He was then even better in his second season as a Pro Bowler with 51 tackles, 11.5 sacks, seven passes defended, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception.

Yet it looks like he's taking another leap in his third season with an NFL-best 6.5 sacks through four games despite facing constant double teams and being the focus of opposing offensive gameplans.

Of course, a major reason he is leading the league in sacks in the early going was his otherworldly performance in a Week 2 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when he sacked Baker Mayfield 4.5 times.

"It was fun," Hutchinson said of being in the zone during that contest. "I don't think I've ever been in a flow state like that where you feel like whatever you do out there, the quarterback is just going to run into your arms. That's what it felt like.

"It's so interesting being an edge-rusher in this league. You could go a game with zero sacks and the next game the sacks come in bunches. When you have your opportunities, you just have to take them. Some games have more opportunities than others. But you have to stay very consistent with your mindset."

The more sacks Hutchinson gets with that consistent mindset, the more likely the Lions are to bounce back from the disappointment of coming so close to the Lombardi Trophy.

Last season was a milestone for Detroit, which won a division title for the first time since the 1993 season and also won a playoff game for the first time since the 1991 campaign. That playoff game was a dramatic 24-23 victory over the Los Angeles Rams and former quarterback Matthew Stafford, and Lions fans created one of the most memorable atmospheres of the season.

The team then rode that momentum to a Divisional Round win over the Buccaneers and had a 24-7 halftime lead in the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Had Detroit finished that game like it started, it would have made the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. However, San Francisco came storming back and won 34-31, dashing the organization's realistic dreams.

Those dreams are still in place.

Many of the same pieces are back in Hutchinson, Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, and expectations are as high as ever. That is especially true after a 3-1 start that included Monday's win over the previously undefeated Seattle Seahawks in a potential playoff preview.

"I think we're well aware that we came up a little short," Hutchinson said when discussing using last season's end as motivation in 2024. "I think this year, all the guys have put their hearts and soul into this. We're going to do whatever it takes to get back there and move on from that game and get the best achievement we can get."

While he is striving for that first Super Bowl on the field, Hutchinson also partnered with State Farm off it.

He starred in the insurance company's "Ballet Class" ad with Jake from State Farm, which focused on bundling a personal price plan much like the star pass-rusher bundles on the field.

"It's such an easy collab with State Farm," he said. "The whole thing was so incredible. They're all about putting a spotlight on unexpected bundling like home and auto. I think it was a very easy collab with me because I bundle dance and football when I'm on the field.

"When I'm on the field, I'll go out there and hit a spin move to sack the quarterback, and when I get up I might hit a dance move while running to the sideline. Just like State Farm bundles home and auto, I bundle football and dance."

The plan is for the Lions to dance their way to a second straight NFC North crown, although they are in the unusual position of being the team everyone is chasing following last season's success.

And they are being chased by arguably the best division in football, as no team in the NFC North is below .500.

The Minnesota Vikings are off to a 4-0 start with Sam Darnold thriving with so many weapons around him in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Aaron Jones. The future is also fairly bright for the 2-2 Chicago Bears with No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams surrounded by plenty of offensive talent in DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet and D'Andre Swift.

The Green Bay Packers are also always going to be a daunting opponent with playoff appearances in four of the last five seasons. They have treaded water in the early going with Jordan Love dealing with an injury but figure to be a threat as the season progresses.

"Competitive division, that's what I know," Hutchinson said. "This year, you weren't really expecting the Vikings. The Vikings came out of nowhere after J.J. [McCarthy] got hurt. But they're balling right now. That offense is cooking. It's going to be a fun, tight race for this division. Honestly, I wouldn't want it any other way."

If nothing else, that division will prepare the Lions for the physical toll of the playoffs.

Especially since they are looking to take the next step and lift the Lombardi Trophy.