Pay Day: Lions sign Alim McNeill to 4-year contract extension

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Injuries have forced the Detroit Lions to restock their defensive line, but before he makes a move for another key player general manager Brad Holmes is taking care of one of their own.

Multiple outlets reported late Tuesday that the team has agreed to a four-year contract extension with Alim McNeill. The deal is reportedly worth $97 million with $55 million in guaranteed money.

The Lions selected McNeill in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft. After serving as a backup for most of his rookie season, he asserted himself as a starter by his second year and rounded into one of the NFL’s best defensive tackles in the 2023 season .

A knee injury limited him to 13 games last year, but he still finished with a career-high five sacks to go with 32 total tackles and 10 quarterback hits. Pro Football Focus ranked him as the sixth-best interior defender in the league and a top-five defender against the run.

Through five games this season, McNeill has recorded 2.5 sacks, eight tackles and four quarterback hits.

McNeill will be called on to shoulder even more of the load along the defensive line now. The Lions lost star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson and backup DT Kyle Peko to serious injuries in Sunday’s 47-9 win over Dallas.

Hutchinson suffered an ugly fracture in his leg and is likely out for the season. His recovery timetable was listed as four to six months, so the Lions are holding out hope that he may be able to make a return late in the playoffs, possibly the Super Bowl if the team manages to make it that far.

Peko suffered a torn pectoral that will require surgery. Both players were moved to the injured reserve on Tuesday, opening up two roster slots. The Lions signed defensive end Isaiah Thomas off of the Bengals’ practice squad on Tuesday. Thomas was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft. He appeared in 10 games for the Browns but hasn’t seen game action yet this season.

The Lions (4-1) can take the lead in the NFC North standings this week if they win their road contest with Minnesota (5-0). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.