Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson speaks to media members after practice during training camp at the Detroit Lions Headquarters and Training Facility in Allen Park on Sunday, July 23, 2023.
Lions' Aidan Hutchinson Is Locked In on Week 1 Game Against Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are currently focused on getting through a successful 2023 training camp and preseason, but a grueling 17-game regular season slate will be waiting for them on the other side. That kicks off with a Sept. 7 matchup against the Detroit Lions, and the NFL world is eagerly awaiting football to officially be back.
For the Chiefs, that Week 1 game will mark the beginning of the franchise's quest to defend its title following a Super Bowl LVII win over the Philadelphia Eagles. For the Lions, the season-opener will provide an opportunity for Dan Campbell's squad to prove that last year's 9-8 record was just a teaser for what's to come. Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, in particular, is excited to take the field against the perceived best team in the league.
Recently appearing on the Rich Eisen Show, Hutchinson shared his thoughts on opening the season at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City and watching the Chiefs raise their new championship banner. Last year's No. 2 overall draft pick said he's looking forward to facing the Chiefs, and it's apparently a game that he's had marked on his calendar since the NFL schedule release happened back in May. Here's what he told Eisen:
"Dude, I mean, are you kidding me? That was my first thought because these primetime games, I get so pumped for. There's nothing quite like these primetime games. When I saw we opened up with KC at KC, life doesn't get much better than that. I'm so excited for the challenge ahead. I think it's going to be a hell of a game and, man, I've had my eyes set on this game since the moment they released it. We'll be ready, we'll be ready to go."
If Detroit can upset the Chiefs in Week 1 (Kansas City is currently a touchdown favorite), it could do wonders for Hutchinson and company. Following the season-opener, their schedule lightens up with subsequent games against the Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. There's a potential window for a hot start to the 2023-24 campaign, and a lot of it hinges on getting off on the right foot to begin the season.
Slowing down Patrick Mahomes and company is much easier said than done, although Hutchinson admits he can already see himself sacking Mahomes:
"Every day, I put it into my regiment at home that I do my manifestations and my visualizations every day. I've really never been this consistent with it in my life. I've been doing it for many years now but now that I'm in the NFL and I have a lot of time [and] I don't have to write papers for English class anymore, I've got a lot of time to invest in my future and see it before it happens."
Of Hutchingson's sacks last year, just three of them came against 2022 playoff teams. The Chiefs' interior offensive line group remains among the NFL's best, but two new starting offensive tackles could have a bit of a learning curve to start this season. That's good news for the Lions' defensive front but with that said, Kansas City will be fighting hard to protect both its home turf and its half-billion-dollar investment in Mahomes. If there's one thing Hutchinson has made clear, though, it's that the Lions will be ready to give their best effort.
