Lions GM: New contract for Hutchinson will 'take time'

Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes said the team hasn't had any serious conversations with pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson about a contract extension.

"Look, we'll definitely get some dialogue going soon here, but those things take time, especially the larger the deal is," Holmes said Wednesday, according to 97.1 The Ticket's Will Burchfield.

Holmes acknowledged "it's very important" to sign the 2022 second overall pick long term. Detroit exercised Hutchinson's fifth-year option, and he's under contract through the 2026 season.

The edge rusher market exploded this offseason, with Maxx Crosby, T.J. Watt, and Myles Garrett all receiving lucrative extensions. Micah Parsons, who is currently holding in at Cowboys training camp, will likely exceed Watt's $41-million annual average salary if he signs a new deal this offseason.

Hutchinson is participating in training camp after suffering a season-ending leg injury in October. He was leading the league in sacks (7.5) before he was sidelined and accumulated 30 quarterback pressures. The 24-year-old has racked up 28.5 sacks and 30 tackles for loss in 39 career contests.

Holmes raved about how Hutchinson has rebounded from his broken fibula and tibia.

"I'm really not all that surprised just because tracking him since college, since his early days ... he had that (fractured ankle) at Michigan and he came back, I think nobody would argue, a better player," Holmes said.

"I don't want to say it's exactly the same because the games haven't kicked off yet, but what he's showing in practice, the change of direction, the explosiveness, I mean, he's not (showing) any effects. But I'm not surprised when a guy like him has that kind of mindset."

The Lions will kick off their season against the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 7.