Detroit Lions send film to NFL after Aidan Hutchinson repeatedly targeted with low blocks by Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears

The Detroit Lions are worried about the blocking methods being used against their standout defensive end Aidan Hutchinson in the first few games of the 2025 NFL season. Reports say the team has sent video proof to the NFL league office, pointing out cases of low blocks during their games against the Green Bay Packers in Week 1 and the Chicago Bears in Week 2.

Aidan Hutchinson’s early season stats show steady impact despite constant attention from opponents

Aidan Hutchinson suffered a broken tibia and fibula in the fifth game of the 2024 season. This injury ended his season, even though he was on track for a record-breaking performance with 7.5 sacks at that time.After that, he made a complete recovery and showed impressive form during the 2025 training camp. In the first two games of the 2025 regular season, he recorded two combined tackles and one sack, raising his career total to 29.5 sacks.

His sack in Week 2 was against Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.

The issues arise from the early games where opponents looked to target Hutchinson's legs with low blocks. Adam Schefter, an ESPN insider, reported this during the Monday Night Countdown on ESPN before the Lions faced the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3 on September 23, 2025.He pointed out that the Detroit Lions provided film from their matches against the Packers and Bears, showcasing specific examples of what they believe to be illegal or intentional low blocks.

Detroit Lions send film to NFL after repeated low blocks against Aidan Hutchinson raise concern

The Detroit Lions decided to send the film because they noticed Hutchinson was getting hit with low blocks repeatedly, which they think could lead to more injuries after his recent recovery. Schefter talked about it on Monday Night Countdown, "The Detroit Lions have taken notice, and they've asked the league office to monitor the plays against Aidan Hutchinson. Not that that will protect him out there, but clearly people have noticed some of the plays, and the Lions want the league office to notice as well.

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Schefter further elaborated on the context of Hutchinson's injury history: "He’s coming off the fractured tibia and fibula. If you watch his performance the first two games of the year, what stands out about that is the fact that it feels like opponents have been going low on him, so much so that the Lions have raised the issue with the league office." He directed viewers to review film from the Week 1 game: "If you go back and look at the film from the first game, take a look at how Green Bay is coming at Aidan Hutchinson's legs.

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NFL rules on low blocks and chop blocks

Another way to look at it is that in the NFL, you can legally make low blocks targeting a player's legs or below the thigh, as long as it's done in isolation. But if a player is already engaged high by one opponent and then gets hit low by another, that's a chop block and it's against the rules. This kind of foul results in a 15-yard penalty for the team on offense.Former NFL defensive lineman and ESPN analyst Marcus Spears talked about this in the same Monday Night Countdown segment.

Spears mentioned, "It’s unfortunate, and obviously, (the complaint) is raised because of the injury that he suffered. Obviously, I’m not a fan of the cut block. I think it should have been banned a long time ago, with game safety. But that is a normal football play. And because of those tight ends, they are not going to try to block you straight up.

They are going to try to get you on the ground. It’s taught that way."Also Read: Kansas City Chiefs charge against New York Giants with Taylor Swift nowhere in sightSpears recognized that some cut blocks are legal, but he shared his personal concerns about using them, particularly against players like Hutchinson who are coming back from leg injuries.