Aidan Hutchinson Is Not Problem With Lions’ Defense

Aidan Hutchinson has made an impact for the Detroit Lions pass rush, but his sack total doesn't tell the full story.

After 11 games, Hutchinson has just 5.5 sacks on the 2023 season. However, he leads the Lions with 63 pressures. The Lions have struggled as a whole to get to the quarterback, as the second-best individual total in pressures belongs to Alim McNeill with just 30.

As the Lions look to revitalize their pass rush, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is emphasizing the importance of generating pressure with players outside of Hutchinson.

While Hutchinson does not have the elite get-off at the line of scrimmage like the league's premier pass rushers, his ability to bend around the edge and use his hands makes him contend with the top 1-on-1 rushers.

Yet, breaking through and getting to the passer against multiple blockers has been difficult throughout the season. For the second-year player, finishing plays while facing extra attention from opponents remains a key.

"That's just finishing. That's just finishing. I think sometimes people so much into sacks that they get away from understanding that this player's affecting the quarterback at a pretty high rate for us. We just have to get everybody else to be affecting the quarterback as much as he is," Glenn explained. "I think once that happens, the sack totals will come up. We've been in situations where sacks come in binges for us."

Detroit's coaching staff often recalls how the talented pass rusher recorded sacks in bunches. Hutchinson started off his career not lighting up the stat sheet, but eventually earned 9.5 sacks his rookie season.

"That happened all of last year, even this year it's been that situation. We've just got to try to unlock that issue, not with just him but the other guys too. That's really the focal point, to be honest with you. Everyone knows what Hutch can do," said Glenn. "It's just getting all of our other guys, even our second level rushers, to be able to create some pressure like that. Even last week, we actually blitzed quite a bit and we have to, that's just who we are. Man, cut me open, and I like to be in man coverage and blitz. But man, I think I've got to do a really good job being able to play zone and be able to play man, that's who we are as a defense."

Odds Lions Beat Saints in Week 13

While Hutchinson continues to fine-tune his craft, the Lions are hoping to get more from their other rushers. McNeill has five sacks, but the rest of the team has struggled to put together consistent production.

As a result, Glenn and company are continuing to hone in on the details of playing the position at a high level.

"That's one thing as coaches that we've got to continue to try figure out, I guess I can't say 'figure out,' keep coaching our guys on how do we generate these pressures, especially the way teams are playing us now. They're blocking everything up," Glenn explained. "They know that Aidan's a guy, so they're putting two guys on him. Usually with the other guys, you watch the tape, they have guys maxed out. Whoever is in 1-on-1, that guy has got to be able to win. That's us as coaches to continue to teach these guys how to make sure that you always get on edges in those situations.

"It's not the easiest thing, but man, we are coaching our a** off to try to get those guys be able to do that. The guys are trying their butts off. We've just got to continue emphasizing those things. I think, going to last week, (Josh) Paschal did some pretty good things as far as getting on edges. We've just got to continue to work with that player in that situation."

The Lions defense has been up and down throughout the season. Ranking among the league's better run defense but struggling against the pass, the unit has struggled as of late to put a complete performance together.

Moving into Week 13, Hutchinson and the rest of the defense are looking to be consistent in their effort to bounce back from last week's loss.

“We’re just ebbing and flowing with the season, and we’ve kind of plateaued these last couple of weeks,” Hutchinson said. “We just got to find it again and get back to playing good ball.”