The Detroit Lions have a 5-2 record on the season, but have a much-needed bye this week. They have been slammed with a bunch of injuries, so getting some time to reset is huge before heading into the season's second half.
Through seven weeks, there have been some standouts and duds, but it's been very clear that edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson has been the Lions' Most Valuable Player thus far. If he keeps things up down the stretch, Detroit could make some real noise this season.
Aidan Hutchinson Is Lions' MVP Going into the Bye Week
Even though he broke his left leg (tibia and fibula) in a contest against the Dallas Cowboys last season, Hutchinson seems to be back to his former self and is generating pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
The Michigan product is tied for fourth in the NFL in sacks (6) and tied for first in forced fumbles (4). He's leading the league in quarterback hurries (33), along with 13 QB hits. In addition, Hutchinson has a 92.2 overall grade (2nd among 113 graded edge rushers), 92.6 pass-rush grade (2nd among 113 graded edge rushers), and a 69.7 run-defense grade (26th among 113 graded edge rushers) on Pro Football Focus.
He's one of the best pass rushers in the league and is making his presence felt in nearly every game. Entering Week 7, Hutchinson is the NFL leader (h/t @The33rdTeamFB) in total pressures (48), which is 10 more than the next closest pass rusher.
For a player who suffered a devastating injury just last season, expectations were tempered, but Hutchinson has blown that out of the water. Detroit's secondary has dealt with several injuries and even a Brian Branch suspension. D.J. Reed, Terrion Arnold, Khalil Dorsey, and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. all have missed games, putting more pressure on the depth behind them.
With more shaky coverage on the backend, quarterbacks could find other receivers quicker, but that hasn't affected Hutchinson. Linebackers Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes have added three sacks, with Al-Quadin Muhammad adding five more sacks.
It's been a group effort with Detroit being tied for third in the NFL in team sacks (23), but Hutchinson has been the driving force there. The 25-year-old still hasn't inked an extension with the Motor City, yet his production on the field in 2025 is lining things up for a massive payday.
The Lions understand the importance of having Hutchinson on the field, and going into the bye, he's been their MVP. And it doesn't seem to be that close.