The Detroit Lions continue to see their star EDGE investment, Aidan Hutchinson, age like fine wine with every market correction at the position with every new contract. The latest was a doozy that makes Hutchinson's four-year, $180 extension signed last October look like a steal.
Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, "The Texans and All-Pro edge Will Anderson Jr. have agreed on a blockbuster, 3-year, $150M extension with $134M guaranteed to make him the NFL’s highest paid non-QB ever. The deal, which includes a rare no-trade clause, was done by Nicole Lynn
of Klutch Sports."
Anderson has been stellar since being taken No. 3 overall by the Houston Texans in the 2023 draft. This past season, Anderson had 93 total pressures, 13 sacks, 70 hurries, and was graded by PFF as a 92.3 overall at his position.
Does that mean he should be the top-paid EDGE rusher? Should Hutchinson be the third-highest paid, behind the Green Bay Packers' Micah Parsons? The answer to both of those questions is a resounding no.
Aidan Hutchinson's Numbers Make Him The Best EDGE in the NFL
It may be true that the top-three highest-paid players also happen to be the three best as well. Hutchinson's metrics put him at the very top, though, when you look at the totality of his value on the field.
In 2025, Hutchinson had 14.5 sacks and led the NFL with 100 total pressures. Hutchinson had 29 solo tackles against the run and had a 70.6 PFF run-defense grade. While he isn't as good as Parsons in tackle rate against the run, Hutchinson is more complete than Parsons and Anderson.
As every new max extension at the position is signed, Brad Holmes could breathe a sigh of relief knowing he gave the most important defensive position on the field a clear top option. Of course, finding Hutchinson a true complement should be one of Holmes' goals at the draft next week. Still, the market is about to make Holmes look even better, and several GMs look worse.
Jonathan Greenard could soon sign a similar extension to Anderson within the next year or so to stay with the Minnesota Vikings. Ditto for Byron Young and the Los Angeles Rams. NFL contracts are some of the only wages in this country that keep increasing.
That's what makes locking down Hutchinson this past October so critical. There's never been a better time to lock down a star, since the price tag goes up exponentially every offseason as the NFL continues to rake in record profits and ratings.
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