Lions’ Hutchinson doubts Myles Garrett’s trade and believes he could have played in Super Bowl.

Although the Detroit Lions are not in the Super Bowl, their best defensive player believes he would join them on the pitch.

In his first public comments since breaking his leg in an October win over the Dallas Cowboys, Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson told the Free Press on the red carpet Thursday at NFL Honours that he was far enough along in his rehab to think about playing this weekend.

“I think so, but you never know,” Hutchinson said.

Hutchinson led the Lions with 7.5 sacks this season despite only appearing in five games.

He was having a Defensive Player of the Year-caliber season when he suffered a horrific left leg injury early in the third quarter of the Lions’ Week 6 game against the Cowboys. Hutchinson’s leg collided with teammate Alim McNeill, and he was immediately transported to a Dallas hospital for surgery.

Hutchinson, who missed the Lions’ playoff loss to the Washington Commanders, said his leg feels “good” and walked without limping down a congested red carpet.

“We’re doing great,” he said, adding that he’ll be prepared for the Lions’ entire offseason program.

Hutchinson was one of five Lions starters who finished the season on injured reserve, contributing to a defence that struggled to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) pressures Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, September 8, 2024.

The Lions, who also lost defensive line starters Alim McNeill and Marcus Davenport to season-ending injuries, finished 28th in the NFL in sack percentage (6.07%) and had only two quarterback hits (but no sacks) on Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels in the playoffs.

The Lions have been mentioned as a potential landing spot for disgruntled pass rusher Myles Garrett, who requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns this week. Garrett has recorded double-digit sacks in seven of his eight NFL seasons, including 14 each of the last two years.

Hutchinson told the Free Press that he believes it is unrealistic for the Lions to pursue Garrett.

“Everyone is asking me about that. “I don’t know,” he replied. “I don’t think you can have that many guys on one D-line, I’m not sure. Who knows, but I believe it’s highly unlikely.

Fox analysts and Hall of Fame defensive ends. Howie Long and Michael Strahan both told the Free Press on Thursday that they believe the Lions should trade for Garrett, the 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Strahan said he would do “whatever it took” to get Garrett, while Long said he would make a deal “in a heartbeat” if he were the Lions.

“If you put him and Hutchinson together, it’s not even fair,” Mr. Strahan said. “Honestly, just shut down, and we’ll see you back here next year watching those guys in the Super Bowl if that’s the case — because I believe Detroit had a good chance of making it here, but too many injuries caught up with them at some point. But with Myles Garret and a healthy Hutchinson? “Pretty unstoppable.”

Hutchinson said he was “gutted” by the Lions’ postseason loss, but no matter what happens this offseason, he believes the Lions will be ready to compete in 2025.

“Onwards,” Hutchinson said. “That is the message. That is all we can do. (We had) a great regular season but a not-so-great postseason, so we’re going to recover and get healthy, most importantly, because we have the talent to be good.”