After two seasons that were not that impressive, Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeill attacked his offseason heading into last season. He changed his routine, with some eye on being a better pass rusher, and showed up to OTAs looking noticeably slimmer. Most notably, shy of sheer lost weight, his body fat percentage dropped as he wanted to have better stamina.
That effort bore fruit last season. McNeill had a career-high five sacks with 34 quarterback pressures (according to Pro Football Focus). Had he not missed four games in December due to a knee injury, his breakthrough numbers would have been even better. A younger teammate has noticed how his work last offseason paid off, which should not be discounted.
However obviously, McNeill was named by Pro Football Focus as the Lion’s most improved player and the team’s “secret superstar” from last season.
A third-round pick in 2021, McNeill is now entering the final year of his rookie contract. Where a new deal for him is on the Lions’ offseason radar is unclear, with extensions for Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jared Goff top of mind for most people, but it’s not like they’re unaware of McNeill’s contract status.
McNeill is certainly on an upward trajectory, now only boosted by the addition of DJ Reader in free agency.
iDL I think is on the right trajectory to get himself a pay day… Lions DT Alim McNeil.
Heading into contract year from that '21 class. Really strong 2023 season. DJ Reader next to him this year- could really ignite the front. Big season ahead.
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) April 5, 2024
This offseason, there have been some big contracts given to defensive tackles. The deal Derrick Brown just got from the Carolina Panthers added another member of the $21-plus million a year club at the position. As Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press pointed out, McNeill has to be loving those dollar figures as he moves toward his next contract.
Alim McNeill got to be loving those numbers https://t.co/nNDrpxpE1x
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) April 6, 2024
