Aidan Hutchinson is about to be unleashed.
Lions run game coordinator and defensive line coach Terrell Williams was on the Costa and Jansen with Heather show on 97.1 The Ticket Thursday morning and was talking about the defensive line and Hutchinson in particular. He commented that Hutchinson has been even better than he thought he was watching from afar before he started coaching in Detroit. He said Hutchinson is such a talented rusher he just needs to be unleashed on the quarterback.
Coming off his first Pro Bowl season last year in which he had 11.5 sacks and was second in the NFL in total pressures with 101, Hutchinson has looked terrific in camp and seems poised for a monster season.
"If I'm being honest, I think a lot of it is the new coach we got. I think T (Williams) has been one of those guys, he just, everything we do, we just pull the trigger," Hutchinson said. "All we're really focused on is getting off the ball, striking blocks and the rest of it will take care of itself.
"I feel like that mindset is very liberating for a lot of D-linemen; not focused on not being so ... not to be so strict about this block, that way, but if we're just going as hard as we can, we're going to create a lot of different pressure and disruption."
The play of the defensive line has been a big storyline in camp so far. The disruption and pressure generated by the front four in particular has been steadier than any camp during this regime's tenure. Hutchinson has been a menace. Alim McNeill has also played great, and Levi Onwuzurike and Marcus Davenport have added the necessary juice opposite Hutchinson both he and this defense have needed.
All of it has Hutchinson excited for what 2024 could bring for him after all the work he's put in to become one of the most consistently dominant pass rushers over the last two seasons. Now with 21.0 career sacks, he holds the record for most sacks through a player's first two seasons in team history.
"There's just a lot of growth in those first few seasons," Hutchinson said. "And this year, I feel like I've taken things to a new level physically and emotionally. I think if you just consistently do things over a period of time, you're gonna get better, you know, and I watched a ton of film. I do a lot of self-scouting, so I'm always my own biggest critic and that's driven me this far."
ZEITLER FITTING IN
It's rare a team loses a Pro Bowl caliber player and is able to replace them with another Pro Bowler to continue the status quo. That's what Lions general manager Brad Holmes did when guard Jonah Jackson left in free agency to sign a big deal with the Rams. The Lions signed veteran Kevin Zeitler, who earned a Pro Bowl nod playing in Baltimore last season, to take his place.
Zeitler is the old man in the Lions' offensive line room at 34 years old entering his 13th season, but joining a new team has Zeitler feeling rejuvenated.
"Sometimes there's only things you know by being out there on the field throughout all sorts of situations," Zeitler said after Thursday's practice. "It's a smart room, smart guys and it's pretty fun."
Zeitler couldn't say enough about the talent level along the new line he's joined, particularly right tackle Penei Sewell and center Frank Ragnow, two All-Pro players he slots between at the right guard spot.
"You see the way they prepare, the way they are and how they approach the day," Zeitler said of Sewell and Ragnow. "There's no wonder they are what they are. My goal is to live up to that level too, and make sure that whole right side is hunkered down."
Zeitler allowed just three sacks and one quarterback hit all of last season for the Ravens, including the playoffs. He was the No. 2 overall pass-blocking guard in the NFL last and season No. 16 overall guard as graded by Pro Football Focus. He's played well to begin camp and is just another reason why the Lions are considered to have the top offensive line in football entering the season.
View photos from Day 7 of Detroit Lions training camp on Wednesday July 31, 2024.
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87), Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Brandon Joseph (40), Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8), Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16), Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34), Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9), Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker DaRon Gilbert (53) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Chelen Garnes (35), Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26), Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green (18) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46), Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87), Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89), Detroit Lions Tight Ends Coach Steve Heiden, Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84), Detroit Lions tight end James Mitchell (82) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs Coach Scottie Montgomery during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42), Detroit Lions running back Jermar Jefferson (28) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33), Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Assistant Quarterbacks Coach J.T. Barrett during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0), Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (19) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75), Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0), Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Marcus Davenport (92) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Parker Hesse (43) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58), Detroit Lions center Kingsley Eguakun (65) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 31, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
ROSTER MOVES
The Lions signed offensive lineman Jake Burton and defensive lineman Pat O'Connor on Thursday and placed G Netane Muti on Reserve/Injured, ending his 2024 season.
Burton helps give the Lions some needed depth inside with Muti out and rookie guard Christian Mahogany still on the Non-Football Illness list.
O'Connor, a former seventh-round pick by the Lions in 2017 who didn't make the team out of training camp, has spent the last six years in Tampa Bay, playing in 68 games with 1.5 sacks and 24 tackles.
EXTRA POINT
Rookie running back Sione Vaki left practice Thursday to be evaluated for a shoulder injury and did not return.
