AP Snubs Aidan Hutchinson for Defensive Rookie of the Year

Sauce Gardner was named Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Aidan Hutchinson, who was voted by fans as the Pepsi Rookie of the Year, did not earn enough votes from the Associated Press to be named Defensive Rookie of the Year. 

New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner took home the award at the annual NFL Honors Awards show. 

The AP vote wasn't even particularly close, as Gardner earned 46 of the 50 first-place votes. 

Despite a stellar rookie campaign, Hutchinson expressed his sophomore campaign has the potential to be even better. 

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"That was just a little appetizer. That's how I view it. A little appetizer. That was me being a rookie and not quite knowing, especially early in the year, not quite knowing the NFL and how things go and stuff like that," Hutchinson said, via the Lions team website. "You give me this whole offseason of training, I'm going to take off to a new level.

"Being able to produce in all aspects of the game, which I did this year, it was frickin' awesome," Hutchinson continued. "Man, it was so cool. Catching interceptions. I've got all the balls at the house right now. I love it all, dude."

Topping his rookie campaign in Motown will be difficult, but the former No. 2 overall pick has the proper mindset and skill set to have a long and productive NFL career. 

In 2022, Hutchinson recorded nine-and-a-half sacks, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. 

Aided also by the emerging James Houston, Detroit's defensive line is now poised to emerge as one of the more productive defensive units in the entire National Football League.