The Detroit Lions and defensive tackle Alim McNeill have agreed to a four-year, $97 million contract extension. That amount included $55 million in guaranteed money, while his $24.25 million annual average makes him the fourth highest-paid interior defensive lineman.
Meanwhile, he became the third member of the Lions’ 2021 draft class to earn a contract extension, following Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell. The Lions gave McNeill a four-year, $5.12 million rookie-scale contract. The defensive lineman from North Carolina State played like he was worth more.
McNeill has been a stalwart in the defensive front since the Lions selected him in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He finished his rookie season with 39 tackles, three quarterback hits, and two sacks in 17 games.
Lions, DL Alim McNeill agree to four-year extension. pic.twitter.com/QAlNKmSKYW
— NFL (@NFL) October 15, 2024
Last year, he became the first Lions interior defensive lineman since Ndamukong Suh (2014) to register five sacks in a season. McNeill added 32 tackles and ten quarterback hits in 13 games.
This year, he has 2.5 sacks and five solo tackles in five games. He’s also a significant contributor to the Lions’ third-best run defense, giving up only 83.2 yards per game.
However, the Lions' defense will need more from McNeill after Aidan Hutchinson suffered a season-ending broken tibia injury that required surgery.
-Lance Fernandez