The Detroit Lions may have handed the Dallas Cowboys one of their worst defeats ever on Sunday, but it came at a significant cost. Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson suffered a severe, season-ending leg injury in the third quarter, necessitating emergency surgery. This injury cut short a season where he was a leading candidate for the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year award.
Despite this setback, the business of football continues. While the Lions have already added a player to their roster to fill Hutchinson’s void, general manager Brad Holmes has made a notable move by retaining an important existing player.
According to various reports, defensive tackle Alim McNeill has signed a four-year contract extension, ensuring he remains with the team through the 2028 NFL season. ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report this news, stating the deal is valued at $97 million, with $55 million guaranteed.
With this new contract, McNeill becomes the fourth-highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL. The only players earning more than him in that position are Nnamdi Madubuike of the Baltimore Ravens, Christian Wilkins of the Las Vegas Raiders, and Chris Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs.
McNeill is the second Lions player to secure a contract extension in the past week, following David Montgomery’s two-year, $18.25 million extension.
Drafted by the Lions in 2021, McNeill was the 72nd overall pick in the third round of the NFL Draft. He played college football at NC State, where he had an impressive record of 77 tackles, 10 sacks, one interception, and one touchdown, earning All-American honors during his junior year.
Heading into the 2023 season, he became Detroit’s starting defensive tackle, although he missed a few games due to a knee injury sustained in Week 13. So far in the 2024 season, he has recorded 2.5 sacks, four quarterback hits, and three tackles for loss.
