Dan Campbell didn't blink. He didn't think, because he didn't need to. Asked whether he's more excited to unleash Aidan Hutchinson or set fellow rookie Malcolm Rodriguez loose at linebacker in the Lions' season-opener Sunday, Campbell replied, "Unleash Hutch."
"That would be No. 1," Campbell said Tuesday. "I love Rodrigo and he’s exactly what we’re all about, but I’m ready to unleash Hutch."
Can you blame him? The first time Campbell unleashed him in the preseason, Hutchinson burst through the Falcons' offensive line and made a tackle for loss on his second NFL snap. The second overall pick has been nothing but a defensive menace since he arrived in the spring. Now the Lions get to see what he's got in the fall.
They get to see what he's got against one of the best offensive lines in the NFL and a playoff contender that beat the snot out of them last season. And Hutchinson gets to see if he's got enough.
"We watched the tape from last year and it leaves a bad taste in your mouth, so I think we’re all excited," he said Thursday. "I’m ready to unleash the beast."
The Eagles are ready to contain it. A deep, experienced offensive line has the upper hand until the rookie proves otherwise. It helps that he spent training camp sparring with the likes of Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell, which forced Hutchinson to find a new level. This is the next one.
"It’ll be a good test for us Week 1," he said. "Whatever the outcome of the game is, we’re going to learn what kind of defense we got."
The outcome last year was ugly, 44-6 Eagles. The Lions didn't record a single quarterback hit against Jalen Hurts, never mind a sack. They didn't stop the run until the Eagles reached the end zone. They were beaten at the line of scrimmage from start to finish. They were bullied in their own backyard by a stronger, meaner opponent.
Asked Thursday how they plan to change that, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn cited "technique." Then he pointed to the arrival of "more good players."
"We added Aidan," he said.
Hutchinson won't fix the defense himself, and the Lions aren't asking him to. But he has the potential to change games. He has the presence to make the players around him better. Defensive end Charles Harris is coming off a darn good season. He looks even better with Hutchinson flying off the opposite edge.
They'll both be coming after Hurts on Sunday -- full bore, for better or worse.
"I’m not going to tell Charles and Aidan to sit back and be on their toes," said Glenn. "Man, we’re going after this guy."
They didn't lay a hand on him last year. They'll have to this year or they won't have a shot. Hurts returns with one of the best receiving duos in the NFC in A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. He'll do damage with his legs either way. The Lions can't get beat by his arm.
Which brings us back to Hutchinson -- and Harris -- and the Eagles' mighty offensive line. Hutchinson said he's "not too focused on numbers" like sacks. He prefers to grade himself on the film. If the film shows him in the Eagles' backfield, if it shows him "dominating and doing my job," he said, "that's a win."
And maybe a win for the Lions.
"We’re going to let Aidan be Aidan," said Glenn, "and you’ll see exactly what you’re going to get from him.”