J.J. Watt sees higher level as attainable for Aidan Hutchinson
At the Pro Bowl games, Aidan Hutchinson said he felt like had "many levels to unlock."
"I feel like I took so many strides this year, and I'm just looking for, 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."
Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (subscription required) was on the ground in Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. CBS analyst J.J. Watt, before he went viral for his change in hairstyle, spoke about Hutchinson and the obvious need for the Lions to add someone opposite him.
"Aidan’s always going to get double-teamed and chipped,” Watt said . “That’s just a fact of the matter when you’re a premier pass rusher in this league. But if you can get somebody on the other side that can take advantage of the one-on-ones, then that’s when you really start to help your team.”
Can Hutchinson elevate himself into the elite class of edge rushers and vie for the sack title?
"I don’t see why not,” Watt said of Hutchinson’s potential moving forward. “I think he has the work ethic, he has the drive, he has the skill set. I have no reason to believe he wouldn’t be. I also think it’s awesome to see him get drafted there, in Detroit, with Dan Campbell and everything that’s come. Some situations just fit and make sense and that’s one that does.”
David Blough moves into coaching
David Blough's next step when he was done playing has trended toward coaching, and on Thursday that step became official when the Washington Commanders announced he will be their assistant quarterbacks coach.
Blough came to the Lions via a trade before the 2019 season. He made five starts in place of an injured Matthew Stafford that season, before sticking as a backup through the first year under Dan Campbell in 2021. After spending time with the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals in 2022, making two starts for Arizona late in that season, he came back to Detroit
Teddy Bridgewater's plan to retire was revealed in December, and he's indeed calling in a career to take the head coaching job at his high school alma mater. Now another Lions' backup quarterback from this past season is moving into coaching.