Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson has won the Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Year honor. Hutchinson earned the honor by capturing the fan voting for the award.
It’s not the official NFL rookie of the year, which gets divided into both offense and defense. Hutchinson is a strong candidate to win the “real” defensive rookie honor when that is announced with the other awards at this week’s NFL Honors.
“There were so many talented players in this rookie class, so it’s quite an honor for me to be named the 2022 Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Year,” Hutchinson said in a press release. “Considering some of the past Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Year winners, taking home this award feels surreal, and I want to thank all the fans who believed in me and voted for me. It is amazing to see the support from fans week after week, and I am ready to start the offseason and get out there for an even better season next year.”
Congratulations to @Aidanhutch97 for winning @Pepsi Rookie of the Year!
Thank you to all the amazing #Lions fans who voted! pic.twitter.com/S7iuEzd0sN
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) February 9, 2023
The fans have spoken. Will the media follow suit and anoint Hutchinson the top defensive rookie, or will Sauce Gardner of the Jets land the award?
