ALLEN PARK — Just when the Lions needed some good news after Aidan Hutchinson’s broken leg, they got it when defensive tackle Alim McNeill was signed to an extension through the 2028 season.
“I’m fired up for Mac, he earned that. He’s a pivotal piece here for us, he’s one of our pillars here,’’ coach Dan Campbell said on Wednesday. “We’re fired up for him. He’s playing at a high level and he’s going to have to continue.”
His new deal is worth $97 million with $55 million guaranteed, per ESPN.
McNeill had arguably his best game of the season with two sacks, seven pressures and four tackles in the 47-9 win at Dallas on Sunday.
“I wouldn’t say anything specific was clicking. No. 1, I was just getting off the ball. My main goal for that game was to get off the ball and everything else would solve itself,’’ McNeill said Wednesday. “So I would really say my get-off was clicking, I was able to get off, read plays and diagnose things quickly.’’
He feels the need to play that way every game especially with the long-term absence of Hutchinson.
“I feel I can do that, that’s what I do as a player when I’m locked in and honing on my keys. I do expect that from myself,’’ McNeill said. “That’s how we all feel, we’re going to have to step up in different areas and pick up slack in different areas that 97 had. Everybody 97 does a lot for us.’’
McNeill said he’s been focused on football so didn’t know the deal was close until his agents called and told him a few days ago. He hasn’t had time to celebrate and seems level-headed about the newfound riches. When asked how the deal would change his life, at first he just laughed.
“A lot. A full 360. As far as me, myself, it’s not going to change who I am, the person I am. I’m still going to come in here everyday and work like I did beforehand,’’ McNeill said.
Campbell said he kind of hates getting deals done in the season but he understands the timing.
“I mean it’s good but you’re trying to focus on football – they are, we are. Sometimes you start working on these and it takes a minute and bleeds into the season,’’ Campbell said. “It’s something we wanted to do. We wanted Mac around here long-term. I go back he’s one of the original, the original ‘21 (draft) class. He’s part of that core with (Amon-Ra) St. Brown and (Penei) Sewell and those guys.
“I’m glad we got that done, he earned it. Everybody loves Mac. It’s good to have Buttercup back,’’ said Campbell who came up with that nickname a few years ago.
McNeill was a third-round (72nd overall) draft pick by the LIons out of North Carolina State in 2021.
Scottie Montgomery, Lions running backs/assistant head coach, is from North Carolina too and remembers watching McNeill in high school play football and baseball.
“Sounds funny, fantastic baseball player. Fantastic. But a great football player as well. Really raised the right way if you talk to him you understand who he is, what type of person he is,’’ Montgomery said on Wednesday. “This is one of those stories if you do things the right way over and over again and you play at the Detroit Lions, you can see the people we’ve signed since January or February. This is the kind of place that takes care of its own.’’
Since April, the Lions have extended Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, Jared Goff, Taylor Decker and David Montgomery.
NOTES:
— Edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson is back in Michigan following surgery on Sunday in Texas to repair his broken tibia and fibula. “I talked to him yesterday and look he’s doing good. He’s trying to process everything, it’s still pretty new so exactly what is this, where do I go, which you would expect he’s laying in a hospital room with his leg up,’’ Campbell said.
“He’s back – he doesn’t want to be a stranger, he talked about being back a little bit when it made sense, he knows he’s welcome here any time. We’d love to see him, the whole team would love to see him, he’s a huge part of what we are and we hate it for him.’’
His recovery is expected to be four to six months.
— Isaiah Thomas, a defensive lineman who will wear No. 35, was signed off the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad. “This move felt right for us, we liked him, we’re glad he’s here. He brings more competition,’’ Campbell said. “We get somebody else to look at, he’s part of the mix and the more competition you bring in the better you find out and those guys go after it a little bit. It doesn’t mean we’re done, it means that’s where we’re at.’’
— Running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery have landed on a nickname — Sonic and Knuckles after video game characters. “If you watch, David is a huge fan of cartoons, Disney channels and Sonic and Knuckles, the speed and brashness of Knuckles,’’ Montgomery said. “Of course I know about it because I have children. Sonic and Knuckles, it works well. I’m going to run with it.’’
— Lions safety Brian Branch was named NFC defensive player of the week for his effort in the 47-9 win at Dallas where he had two interceptions and a forced fumble. e
— Lost in the news of Hutchinson’s serious injury, was that defensive tackle Kyle Peko suffered a torn pec at Dallas and is out for the season. “Peko has been one of those kind of silent producers for us, does all of the dirty work,’’ Campbell said. “And he’s the one who frees up Alex (Anzalone) and Jack (Campbell) and Rodrigo (Malcolm Rodriguez) and those guys to make the plays they make. … We hate it for him. We’re going to miss him too.’’
UP NEXT: Lions (4-1) at Viking (5-0), 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, in the first divisional game for Detroit. The Vikings are 1-0 in NFC North after edging the Packers, 31-29, in Week 4.
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