Aidan Hutchinson is done waiting.

The Detroit Lions have spent the past three seasons getting close, falling short, regrouping and convincing themselves the next opportunity will be different.

As the 2026 season approaches, Hutchinson believes it is time to stop talking about eventually winning a Super Bowl and actually do it.

During a recent golf outing with Jared Goff for Fourth and Fore, the two Lions stars had a remarkably candid exchange about Detroit’s championship expectations.

“What do you think, is this the year?” Hutchinson asked.

Goff didn’t hesitate.

“Of course, man. We’ve got to.”

Hutchinson’s response pretty much summed up where Detroit stands entering 2026.

“It’s about f****** time.”

The exchange was highlighted this week as Hutchinson and Goff discussed Detroit’s Super Bowl chances.

Hutchinson Hasn’t Forgotten 2023

This isn’t simply preseason optimism from Hutchinson.

There is some scar tissue behind it.

Detroit’s 2023 season ended with one of the most painful losses in franchise history. The Lions led San Francisco 24-7 at halftime of the NFC Championship Game before watching the 49ers rally for a 34-31 victory.

Hutchinson admitted during the conversation that he still carries a bad taste from that loss.

That’s understandable.

Detroit was 30 minutes away from its first Super Bowl appearance, and the opportunity disappeared almost as quickly as it arrived. Jared Goff’s reaction afterward captured just how devastating that night was, something that remained evident when he reached out to Lions fans following the NFC Championship loss.

The Lions responded by winning a franchise-record 15 games in 2024, only to lose their first playoff game.

Then came 2025.

Last Season Still Bothers Hutchinson, Too

Detroit entered last season believing it belonged among the NFL’s legitimate championship contenders.

Instead, the Lions finished 9-8 and missed the playoffs.

Hutchinson has already made it clear he views that season as an interruption rather than evidence Detroit’s window has closed. Earlier this offseason, he described 2025 as something he believes will ultimately look like a brief “blip” in the Dan Campbell era.

Campbell hasn’t forgotten it either. He called last season a “gut punch” and made it clear he feels an obligation to Detroit’s core players to make sure the Lions maximize the championship window they have built.

That window is open right now.

Goff is 31. Hutchinson is entering his prime. Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell and Jack Campbell headline a roster that still has high-end talent on both sides of the football.

The question isn’t whether Detroit believes it can contend.

It’s whether the Lions can finally finish the job.

The Mission Starts Against New Orleans

There is obviously a long way between saying “this is the year” on a golf course and holding the Lombardi Trophy in February.

Detroit’s first step comes Sept. 13 when the Lions open the regular season against the New Orleans Saints at Ford Field. The official 2026 schedule gives Detroit two of its first three games at home before a challenging road stretch begins.

Before turning the page to Week 1, Detroit completed its preseason evaluation with a 25-16 victory over Indianapolis.

Now the exhibitions are over.

The roster is largely set.

And Hutchinson doesn’t sound interested in moral victories, another encouraging playoff run or another season spent discussing how close Detroit came.

The Lions have been close enough.

In Hutchinson’s words, it’s about time.