Aidan Hutchinson is fully embracing the expectations around the Lions

At the Pro Bowl back in February, with the NFC Championship Game loss to the 49ers still pretty fresh, Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchins laid the foundation of high expectations he has for himself looking toward his third season.

"I feel like I took so many strides this year, and I'm just looking for", Hutchison said. "I think there's still so many levels to unlock. I never put limitations on myself or my ability or this team. So, the sky will always be the limit." 

Having fallen just short of reaching the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history, with a 17-point halftime lead against the 49ers to boot, the Lions have the kind of expectations they've never truly had. Any list of the top Super Bowl contenders this year has them on it, with the defense notably added to this offseason to go with a top-tier offense that mostly remained intact.

Aidan Hutchinson fully embracing high expectations for the Lions

Hutchinson participated in the pro-am, etc. at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit last week. Speaking to Brad Galli of WXYZ, and asked (however leadingly) what he says when people at the event ask him "Is this the year?", Hutchinson pulled no punches to embrace the high expectations around the Lions.

"I feel like it's the year,” Hutchinson said. “With every fiber of my body, I feel like it’s the year. Honestly, from this year on, every year is the year. With the guys that we have, I hope that we’re going to sustain the success for a long time."

The Lions do have the look of a sustainable contender for the foreseeable future, even as the top draft picks general manager Brad Holmes has made line up for lucrative second contracts (including Hutchinson himself, of course).

Not that Hutchinson would have said anything other than what he said, or along the same line of what he said. But it's nice to hear how no one attached to the Lions is shrinking from the lofty expectations that are in place.