Aidan Hutchinson, defensive lineman for the Detroit Lions, was named the 2022 NFL Rookie of the Year by the league.
With 9.5 sacks in the 2022 season, the 22-year-old surpassed all newcomers and made history by becoming the first rookie since 1982 to have at least nine sacks and three interceptions. Also, since 1982, he was the fourth player to have at least nine sacks, two fumble recoveries and three interceptions in a single season.
In the final game of the regular season, Hutchinson led the Detroit Lions to a decisive victory over the Green Bay Packers, guiding them to a 9-8 overall record. Despite narrowly missing the postseason, the Lions posted the second best finish in the NFC North, indicating that there is already a lot of confidence in the organization going into next year.
In a statement, Hutchinson commented:
“There are so many great players in this rookie class, it’s definitely an honor for me to be selected as Pepsi Zero Sugar’s 2022 Rookie of the Year.”
🏼
It is a great honor to be named the 2022 @Pepsi Zero Sugar @NFL Rookie of the Year. To my teammates, coaches, family, friends, and most importantly, the fans, your support means a lot to me. I couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you 🙏🏼#PepsiROTY #A proud https://t.co/bl3PFCZa6G
Not to be confused, this is different from the Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year honor, which was presented during the NFL Honors ceremony. Rather, the fans choose the winner of this award.
The fact that the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft picked up the award for all rookies, not just young defensive players, is still pretty remarkable.
Which players were nominated for Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year?
New York Jets WR Garrett Wilson, New York Jets CB Sauce Gardner, Seattle Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen, New Orleans Saints WR Chris Olave, and Aidan Hutchinson were the six nominees for the Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Year award.
.@leones DL @aidanhutch97 it is the first one @NFL player to produce a season with 9.5 sacks, 3 INT and 2 FR since Hall of Famer DE Richard Dent in 1990. Hutchinson and Dent are the only DLs in NFL history to produce such a season.#A proud https://t.co/79IFesdAyT
The selection committee chose the six candidates based on their outstanding achievements during the 2022 NFL season. Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week was decided by public voting on NFL.com, with six candidates nominated.
The NFL has had Pepsi as its authorized soft drink partner for 22 years. Pepsi has also awarded the NFL Rookie of the Year and NFL Rookie of the Week awards for 21 years.
Hutchinson had 9.5 sacks, 51 season total tackles, two pass deflections, nine tackles for loss and three interceptions. He was a two-time NFC Rookie of the Month selection and was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week Eleven.