Lions' Hutchinson reveals process for improvement while embracing pursuit of rewriting record book
Allen Park — Aidan Hutchinson doesn’t want to think beyond this week or the next game, but the Detroit Lions defensive end has all the relevant records tucked away in the back of his brain.
Most sacks in a game?
“Seven,” he answers with no hesitation.
How about in a season?
“22.5,” he fires back.
After breaking through with 4.5 sacks in the team’s Week 2 loss to Tampa Bay, neither mark seems particularly farfetched, especially the latter. It doesn't hurt that Hutchinson has an extra game to chase the two players who share the record, Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and four-time, first-team All-Pro TJ Watt.
Plus, after dropping the opposing quarterback 5.5 times through two games, Hutchinson only needs to average a little more than one sack per game the remaining 15 contests to draw even or surpass the mark.
And while he’s trying to remain laser-focused on this Sunday’s matchup with the Arizona Cardinals and fleet-footed QB Kyler Murray, Hutchinson won't shy away from the fact he aims to reset the bar.
“It's always been one of my goals since I got into the league was to break that record,” Hutchinson said. “If I have the opportunity this year, great. …Honestly, I'll always think it's realistic. Even next year, if I don't have as many sacks at this point, I'll still think (that). My brain is wired that way.”