Detroit Lions rookie Aidan Hutchinson has now won Rookie of the Month for the second time this year. Not only did he win this honor twice, he’s the back-to-back award winner, holding the title from November through January. There’s no question he’s made quite the case for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Hutchinson has had an exceptional rookie year. He produced 52 total tackles, 9 TFLs, 9.5 sacks, 15 quarterback hits, three interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. His 9.5 sacks ranked the highest among all the rookies this season. The 22-year-old is the first NFL player to record 9.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, and two fumble recoveries since Richard Dent did it in 1990. He and Dent are the only defensive lineman to produce such a season in NFL history.

To add a little juice to the mix, Woodward Sports did a comparison of Hutchinson and Aaron Donald’s rookie year numbers. Take a look at this:

Aidan Hutchinson DOMINATED in his rookie season. Next to some ELITE company. #OnePride pic.twitter.com/IwIarVNTVk

— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) January 12, 2023

Defensive Rookie of the Year?

The rookie is the first player in franchise history to win rookie of the year multiple times. He’s also the only player to have won Rookie of the Month twice this season giving him the leg up on the competition for Rookie of the Year.

Aidan Hutchinson has been a force for the Lions. #OnePride #NextGenStats powered by @awscloud. pic.twitter.com/JjkaXU2PZK

— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) January 9, 2023

Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell has been high on Aidan Hutchinson all season long. When asked to weigh in his thoughts on Hutch for DROY Campbell says he doesn’t know the ins and outs of that, but he does know they got one hell of a player.

“That’s hard for me to say only because I don’t – relative to the rest of the League and the other rookies, I’m not sure about that. To answer that, I know as far as us picking him, for what we wanted him for, he’s everything we’ve wanted, man. I mean this guy’s a football player, and with the number 2 pick in the draft, we got a freaking – we got a football-playing dude, man, who’s high motor, and he’s versatile as hell.”

The New York Jet’s cornerback, Sauce Gardner, is considered the favorite to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year title. He produced 75 total tackles, three TFLs, one quarterback hit, two interceptions, and a touchdown this season. While putting up some impressive stats, the rookie has not won Rookie of the Month a single time this season.

The Rookie of the Year award will be announced at the 10th annual NFL Honors Presentation held the night before the Super Bowl.