Aidan Hutchinson Calls Out Lions’ Defense: ‘We’re Playing Soft, and It Shows’
Defensively, the Detroit Lions have begun to hit a wall this season as they press forward, and a big issue the team has faced has been struggles with the defensive line.
Detroit isn't pressuring the quarterback well enough, having collected just four sacks in the last four games. Obviously, that isn't good enough to change the game, and it's been a huge reason for the recent struggles the Lions have seen. They didn't collect a single sack in a 31-24 Week 12 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Aidan Hutchinson is a big flashpoint given his importance as an elite edge-rusher. Lately, Hutchinson hasn't gotten the job done personally, totaling only 1.5 sacks in the last four games. There's been more attention from the opposition cast his way, and it's forced Hutchinson to deal with different looks.
"It's interesting. There is the chippers. There's the the guards coming back to double team you, and it makes those reps that you get that you do you know you have a one-on-one, (it) makes those that much more precious for sure," Hutchinson said.
Lions need Aidan Hutchinson at his best to remain in the playoff hunt
Hutchinson would admit that he hasn't made the most of those particular reps. As for the team, he is aware of the issues plaguing the defense and their pass rush. He sees the struggles in flow and doesn't have a good answer for why other than to say the team needs to keep trying to break through.
"I think it's just not flowing right now. I don't know (why). It's something that can be a tedious thing sometimes, but sometimes there can be certain games where you feel like who's not going to get a sack, you know? So, I don't know. It's something you got to look at for sure."
It will be up to Kelvin Sheppard to figure out a way to either manufacture more pressure or find players capable of delivering within Detroit's scheme. Either way, Hutchinson is clearly well aware that the Lions aren't getting it done from a rush standpoint, which is a big reason for their defensive problems.
At 7-5 after the Thanksgiving Day loss, the Lions are in a tough place. They need wins down the stretch to remain viable playoff contenders in the NFC. While it looks like a bad position to be in, Detroit can get right back on track in Week 13 against the Dallas Cowboys.
Naturally, the Lions have higher expectations for themselves to be atop the NFC, which is something Hutchinson admitted after the loss to the Packers. Even so, he is focused on improvements and sticking with the plan in the weeks ahead.
"It's not expected. Obviously, (losing) puts us behind the eight ball in terms of what we want to do this season. It's real adversity, and we have a decision to make and a decision to continue to figure it out and let this thing click in all three phases. We got a good challenge next week in Dallas to do that. We got to learn what we can and try to move on as fast as we can (because) there's a lot of football to be played."
Detroit's season is far from over, and the pressure is on Hutchinson and his defensive teammates to step up and make a difference in the trenches with better pocket pressure.
Just hours earlier, the Packers re-signed kicker Lucas Havrisik to return to the practice squad ahead of a brutal playoff-race matchup with the Bears
Green Bay, Wisconsin. Today
The Green Bay Packers entered the week of their matchup with the Chicago Bears with a move that surprised many fans, yet made perfect sense given the circumstances: re-signing kicker Lucas Havrisik and bringing him back to the practice squad just hours before news of Devonte Wyatt’s injury began to spread. A small transaction on paper, but one that carries significant meaning for the team’s stability during a turbulent stretch.
According to ESPN sources, the Packers evaluated several options before deciding to bring Havrisik back. With the team navigating a series of tightly contested games where every point and every kick could influence the playoff race, the coaching staff believed Havrisik — who spent time with the Packers during the offseason — was the most familiar and fitting choice to reinforce the roster.
Havrisik, 25, known for his powerful long-range leg and confident demeanor, has been viewed as one of the more intriguing young kicking prospects in the NFL. Although he didn’t make the final roster in preseason cuts, the coaching staff stayed in touch and monitored his progress in recent months.
An internal source shared that Havrisik was “completely ready” and even arrived at Lambeau Field just hours after receiving the team’s call. He reportedly completed a warm-up session that very night, demonstrating both professionalism and a strong desire to seize the opportunity.
Head coach Matt LaFleur said during his press conference: “We need reliability at every position, especially on special teams. Lucas understands the system, has a strong work ethic, and brings the kind of healthy competition we’re looking for.”
Havrisik’s return is seen as perfectly timed as the Packers prepare for a matchup with the Bears that holds both technical and emotional weight. The league’s oldest rivalry always produces fierce battles, and every small detail can become the difference-maker.
With the defense absorbing a major blow following Devonte Wyatt’s injury, the Packers need stability across all remaining positions. Analysts note that Havrisik may not be an instant game-changer, but he is a meaningful addition that allows the Packers to enter the game with greater confidence.
And in a week filled with upheaval, the return of Lucas Havrisik serves as a positive signal that the Packers are still firmly focused on the bigger picture — the demanding playoff race ahead.
