The Detroit Lions signed three important veterans to contract extensions this offseason. But one of the team’s most important defensive players, Alim McNeill, is in need for a new deal too.
McNeill’s rookie contract will expire after the 2024 season. On September 1, Bleacher Report’s NFL Scouting Department ranked him the fourth-best potential 2025 free agent.
The department also projected McNeill to be worth $90 million on a 4-year extension.
“Interior defenders who can plug gaps, stonewall ball-carries and pressure opposing quarterbacks will always be coveted on the open market. The 24-year-old McNeill will likely generate added interest in 2025 because many of the other top defensive tackles—like Cameron Heyward (36), Quinton Jefferson (32) and B.J. Hill (30)—are on the older side,” wrote Bleacher Report.
“Of course, McNeill will need to build on what he accomplished last season and stay on the field to remain one of free agency’s top targets. He missed four games with a knee injury last season.
“McNeill might not match the deals that Christian Wilkins ($27.5 millionannually) and Justin Madubuike ($24.5 million) got this offseason because he doesn’t have their raw numbers. Given the growing demand for good defensive tackles, though, he might not be far behind them.”
In 47 contests with the Lions, McNeill has registered 112 combined tackles, including 15 for loss and 8 sacks. Last season, he had 32 combined tackles, 6 tackles for loss and 5 sacks in 13 games.
Projecting Next Contract for DT Alim McNeill
Contract predictions for McNeill have been a bit all over the map with Bleacher Report’s $90 million projection on the higher end.
On May 8, A to Z Sports’ Josh Queipo and Kyle Dediminicantanio projected McNeill to be worth $72 million on a 4-year contract. That’s a difference of $4.5 million per season from Bleacher Report’s prediction.
Sport Illustrated’s Christian Booher had an even lower estimate. Booher placed McNeill’s value at $51 million on a 3-year deal. On such a contract, McNeill would have less security with fewer years and an even lower average annual salary ($17 million versus $22.5 million and $18 million).
It’s difficult to say which prediction will be the most accurate. But obviously, how McNeill performs this fall will greatly impact his value.
McNeill has been mostly healthy throughout his career. However, to maximize his value, he probably can’t miss four games as he did last season.
For the biggest payday, he will also have to build on his career bests in sacks and quarterback hits. With his 5 sacks, he had 10 quarterback hits in 2023.
A Pro Bowl nomination or All-Pro consideration would help too. McNeill didn’t make the Pro Bowl in any of his first three seasons.
Lions’ Salary Cap Situation Heading Into 2024 Season
The Lions sit in great position with the NFL salary cap heading into the 2024 season. According to Spotrac, they possess the fifth-most salary cap space with about $49.2 million.
This offseason, though, the Lions signed quarterback Jared Goff, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and offensive tackle Penei Sewell to massive contract extensions. Those deals will begin to be reflected against the team’s cap in 2025 and 2026.
The Lions also have another defensive star to sign to an extension — defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. So, the Lions can’t be careless with their spending.
But they should be able to afford a deal for McNeill even if it’s on the more expensive side of the wide-ranging projections.
Spotrac reported the Lions are currently ranked sixth in salary cap space for the 2025 season with roughly $85.4 million to spend.
