Aidan Hutchinson says new defensive line coach has unlocked new level for him

It's well-known by known how much the Detroit Lions' pass rush was Aidan Hutchinson and very little else last season. No one else had more than five sacks, he had 67 more quarterback pressures than anyone else (101) and the discrepancies between him and rest of the team's edge rushers were even more dramatic.

Things can help but be better around Hutchinson this year. From the front seven to the secondary, he should have an easier time translating pressures to sacks. Deeper data from last year points to some positive correction in his sack total. Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus has made Hutchinson his pick to lead the league in sacks this year.

The Lions also have a new defensive line coach. Terrell Williams is widely regarded as one of the best in the league coaching the position. There are certainly tangible elements he can help everyone with so they can become more effective players, but Hutchinson also mentioned the intangible element of being a good coach as it relates to Williams' immediate effort to foster a relationship.

Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson praises Terrell Williams

In the locker room after Tuesday's practice, Hutchinson told Ben Raven of MLive about his relationship with Williams.

"I think he’s unlocked things in me that, as a player, it’s just, from me being the type of player that I am, having a coach that can just believe in me and give me the freedom and the green light,” Hutchinson said. “He just has the utmost belief in me, and I can feel it, and I feel like that also encourages me and allows me to play at a higher level when you know you have a guy like that on your side."

"I mean, right when he got here, he asked to go out to dinner with me. It was the first time I’ve been out to dinner with a coach, really, since I’ve been in college or like one-on-one with my coach. It’s really, right from that moment I knew we’d have a special relationship. I’m hoping he’ll be here as long as we can keep him.”

Going all the way back to the Pro Bowl Games in February, Hutchinson has talked about reaching a new level in his third season. Williams, unsurprisingly, is intent on doing everything he can to make sure that happens.