After being a key contributor to the defensive line for over three seasons, the Detroit Lions have officially signed defensive tackle Alim McNeill to a new contract, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The deal could be worth up to $97 million over the next four years, with $55 million guaranteed.
McNeill was set to hit free agency this offseason, as his rookie contract, worth just over $5 million for four years, was nearing its end. With this new agreement, he is expected to remain a vital part of the Lions’ defensive front for much of the decade.
In his four seasons, McNeill has started in 41 of the 52 games he’s played, including every game since 2022. He has accumulated 120 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, and 24 quarterback hits, playing a crucial role in Michigan’s run defense. This season, he has earned a 79.8 grade on Pro Football Focus, recording eight tackles and 2.5 sacks in just five games for the 4-1 Lions. While statistics for interior linemen might not always be eye-catching, he currently ranks as one of the highest-graded defensive tackles on the platform.
Following the injury of star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who fractured his tibia and fibula while sacking Dak Prescott in Sunday’s decisive win over the Dallas Cowboys, McNeill and the rest of the Lions’ defensive line will need to step up. Lions head coach Dan Campbell stated earlier this week that Hutchinson is expected to be out for 4-6 months, effectively sidelining him for the remainder of the 2024 regular season.
