The Detroit Lions have chosen to invest in defensive tackle Alim McNeill by giving him a long-term contract.
“Fired up for Mac, he earned that,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said on Wednesday. “He’s a pivotal piece for us.”
McNeill signed a four-year extension worth $97 million, according to someone familiar with the details who asked to remain anonymous since the terms hadn’t been made public.
“The timing was crazy,” McNeill said, as he wasn’t expecting a deal to happen this week.
The Lions, with a record of 4-1, are set to face NFC North-leading Minnesota (5-0) on Sunday in an important game for the division and playoff hopes. Last season, the Lions won the NFC North, marking their first division title in 30 years.
McNeill joins quarterback Jared Goff, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, and offensive tackle Penei Sewell as players who received contract extensions this year.
“He’s one of our pillars here,” Campbell said. “No different than the guys we signed back.”
Lions general manager Brad Holmes drafted McNeill in the third round—No. 72 overall—in 2021 from N.C. State, and he has since become one of the top defensive tackles in the league.
McNeill matched his career high with two sacks in a 47-9 victory over Dallas on Sunday. Last season, he recorded five sacks, the highest by an interior defensive lineman for the Lions since Ndamukong Suh had 8 1/2 sacks in 2014.
Detroit needs McNeill to perform well now more than ever.
“We know we have to step up,” he said.
Aidan Hutchinson was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday while recovering from a broken leg that required surgery. He is expected to be out for at least four months. Hutchinson leads the league with 7 1/2 sacks and has a total of 28 1/2 sacks over 39 games in more than two seasons.
