When Jim Harbaugh talks about his former players, it’s never just coachspeak. It’s a visceral loyalty, a father-like pride, and a fierce belief in what his “guys” can accomplish—especially when adversity strikes. So when Harbaugh was asked earlier this week about Detroit Lions star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson’s return from a lower-body injury that prematurely ended his 2024 season, the current Los Angeles Chargers head coach didn’t hesitate.
“I bet he’s going to come back even better,” Harbaugh said, eyes gleaming with conviction. “Knowing Aidan, the way he works, the way he’s wired—it’s not even a question in my mind. He’ll turn this setback into a launchpad.”
Harbaugh, who coached Hutchinson at Michigan and now finds himself coaching against him in the NFL, may have sounded like he was cheering on a family member. In many ways, that’s exactly what Hutchinson is to him.
The Rise of Aidan Hutchinson: Michigan’s Warrior-Turned-Lion King
To understand the magnitude of Harbaugh’s statement, it’s important to trace Hutchinson’s journey. From the hallowed halls of Divine Child High School in Dearborn to the colossal stages of Big Ten football and now Ford Field, Aidan Hutchinson has built a career defined by relentless motor, precise technique, and an unwavering desire to dominate.
He was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft—behind only Travon Walker—and immediately made his presence felt in Detroit. In his rookie season, Hutchinson racked up 9.5 sacks, three interceptions, and two fumble recoveries, earning First-Team All-Rookie honors and becoming a cornerstone of a resurgent Lions defense.
By 2023, he was the face of a team on the rise—Detroit finished 11-6, won the NFC North for the first time since 1993, and made it to the NFC Championship game. Hutchinson was everywhere—off the edge, in the backfield, in press conferences, in commercials, and in the hearts of fans.
Then came 2024.
A Cruel Twist: The Injury That Paused a Meteoric Career
In Week 11 of the 2024 season, Hutchinson suffered what was initially believed to be a high-ankle sprain. However, after further evaluation, the injury was diagnosed as a partial tear of the peroneal tendon—a rare but critical component of lower-leg stability for edge rushers who rely on explosive lateral movements.
The Lions placed him on injured reserve, and though his surgery was deemed successful, his absence was sorely felt down the stretch. Detroit’s pass rush lost its edge—literally and figuratively—and the team fizzled out with a Wild Card round loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
It was a bitter pill for both Hutchinson and the Lions to swallow. But not for long.
Harbaugh and Hutchinson: A Bond Forged in Fire
When Harbaugh recruited Hutchinson to Michigan, he saw more than just a talented edge rusher. He saw a leader, a culture-setter, a throwback to the Bo Schembechler days of toughness and accountability. By Hutchinson’s senior year in 2021, the Wolverines had evolved into a juggernaut, winning the Big Ten and earning a berth in the College Football Playoff. Hutchinson was the heart of it all.
“He made everyone around him better,” Harbaugh said in 2022. “He changed our entire defense—heck, our entire program—with how he worked, how he practiced, and how he lifted guys up.”
Now, Harbaugh is seeing those same traits again—not in person, but through the lens of NFL film rooms and sideline whispers.
“Aidan’s got that Brady thing,” Harbaugh added with a grin. “You know, where if you doubt him or something slows him down, he just comes back twice as good.”
Training for Vengeance: Hutchinson’s Rehab and Reinvention
While Hutchinson has remained largely quiet in the media since the injury, his Instagram feed paints a different picture: short videos of resistance training, carefully measured drills on turf, slow-motion footwork sessions, and one particularly powerful clip—Hutchinson in full gear, performing sled pushes while screaming, “This isn’t a setback—it’s fuel!”
According to sources close to the Lions, Hutchinson has been training at EXOS in Arizona this offseason, working with a mix of NFL trainers and biomechanics specialists to recalibrate his footwork, increase flexibility, and develop more burst off the line.
“He’s not just rehabbing—he’s reinventing,” said former Lions linebacker Chris Spielman, now a senior advisor with the team. “The way he’s attacking this process, you’d think he was preparing for a UFC title fight.”
Spielman believes Hutchinson’s ceiling is even higher than what he showed in his first two seasons.
“We haven’t seen peak Aidan yet,” he said. “That’s what makes this whole thing scary—for opponents.”
The 2025 Lions: Ready for a Hutch-Led Resurgence?
Detroit has been quietly reshaping its defense in anticipation of Hutchinson’s return. In March, the Lions signed veteran defensive end Danielle Hunter to a one-year deal, giving Hutchinson a proven running mate on the edge. They also used a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II, an interior force who could command double-teams and free Hutchinson on the outside.
Add in a healthy Alim McNeill, plus standout linebacker Jack Campbell entering his third season, and the Lions have a defensive unit that looks poised to be one of the NFL’s best.
But everything still runs through No. 97.
“He’s our engine,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said during OTAs. “When Hutch is out there, everybody feeds off his energy. He raises the standard.”
A Harbaugh-Hutchinson NFL Reunion?
There’s a delicious subplot unfolding in 2025. Now that Harbaugh is coaching the Chargers, and the NFL’s interconference matchups have the AFC West playing the NFC North this season, there’s a potential showdown brewing between Harbaugh and Hutchinson.
“Can’t wait for that one,” Harbaugh said, laughing. “I told our guys already—be ready. Because that No. 97 on Detroit, he’s coming. And he’s not coming soft.”
It’ll be the first time Harbaugh has coached against his former Wolverine star. But if you think he’ll hold back on the praise, think again.
“Whatever field he steps on, he owns it,” Harbaugh said. “And if there’s one thing I know about Aidan, it’s that he’s going to make sure everyone remembers who he is the second he puts that helmet back on.”
The Big Picture: From Michigan Legend to NFL Icon?
Hutchinson isn’t just a football player—he’s a brand in the making. A Detroit native who stayed home, rebuilt a college powerhouse, and was drafted by his hometown team to lead its NFL renaissance. It’s Hollywood-level narrative symmetry.
His jersey is among the top-sellers in Michigan. He’s featured in national ad campaigns. His face is on murals in downtown Detroit. And if his play on the field matches the fire he’s showing in rehab, there’s no reason he can’t be a perennial All-Pro.
“He’s got that special aura,” said ESPN’s Mina Kimes. “Like Watt, Garrett, and Bosa before him—but with a hometown edge.”
If the Lions return to the playoffs with a healthy, dominant Hutchinson, it’ll not only cement his status as the face of the franchise—it could signal the beginning of a Hall of Fame trajectory.
Words That Matter: Harbaugh’s Faith in Hutchinson
When Jim Harbaugh says something, it’s rarely by accident. He’s a master of motivation, a man who understands the power of a well-timed compliment, and someone who never overpraises unless he believes it down to his core.
So when he says Hutchinson will be better after this injury, it’s more than optimism. It’s a calculated declaration, a public vote of confidence, and a challenge of sorts—to Hutchinson, to the Lions, and to anyone who might have forgotten just how dominant No. 97 can be.
“He’s the best player I ever coached,” Harbaugh said simply. “And he’s not done.”
Conclusion: The Hutchinson Era Is Just Getting Started
As the 2025 NFL season draws closer, all eyes in Detroit—and around the league—will be on Aidan Hutchinson. Will he return to his pre-injury form? Will he take the next step into elite territory? Will he lead the Lions back to postseason glory?
If you ask Jim Harbaugh, the answer is already written.
“He’s going to come back, tear it up, and show everyone what he’s made of,” Harbaugh said. “And when he does, don’t say I didn’t tell you so.”
For Hutchinson, it’s not about revenge. It’s about purpose. It’s about proving that greatness isn’t deterred by setbacks—it’s forged by them.