The Detroit Lions have not been shy about rewarding players they see as core pieces of the roster. Defensive tackle Alim McNeill was not a headliner on that front, but he was richly rewarded with a four-year, $97 million contract extension in October of 2024.
Of course, roughly two months later, McNeill suffered a torn ACL that ended that season early. He was clearly not the same player upon returning to action in 2025, which he has openly acknowledged as he eyes a big bounce-back this year.
McNeill, as things stand right now, is the fifth-highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL based on average annual value ($24.25 million). Due to the aforementioned knee injury, the Lions have not gotten much early return on that substantial investment. And this year, his cap hit swells to $28.96 million.
So, yes, it's easy to call McNeil overpaid, and those who do so aren't necessarily wrong. We also need to see what he does at full strength this season. If he struggles or gets banged up again, then the overpaid narrative can get firmer traction, though the Green Bay Packers' latest move could also ease the blow.
Packers' Devonte Wyatt contract extension curbs potential regret for Lions
The NFC North rival Packers seem intent on rewarding potential. Their latest example, as reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz and others, is the three-year, $57 million contract extension they have given defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt.
Pending the details that may change what the contract actually is, Wyatt now lands as the 17th-highest-paid defensive tackle in the league with that $19 million per-year average.
Wyatt's 2025 season ended after 10 games due to a broken fibula. He finished as Pro Football Focus' 88th-ranked defensive tackle, with a 38.7 run defense grade (113th out of 134 qualifiers) to more than offset his top-25 pass-rushing mark at the position.
McNeill, operating with one fully healthy leg in his 10 games last season, came in as PFF's 90th-ranked defensive tackle overall with a rough 47.2 run defense grade. But he also had more quarterback pressures than Wyatt (23 compared to 22).
In each of the two seasons before last year, PFF graded McNeill out as a top-10 defensive tackle. Wyatt's best standing to this point in his career is 37th, in 2024.
Wyatt's sack totals over the last three seasons look nice, considering his role and last season's injury, but there's more to playing defensive tackle than that. He has never shown himself to be a particularly effective run defender, whereas McNeill has when he's been fully healthy.
McNeill absolutely has to get back on track and step up his game this season, but he has shown he's a better player than Wyatt when he has two healthy legs.
The Lions still have a chance to see some big fruits from their investment in McNeill. As they've once again paid someone this offseason based on what they think he can do, more than what he actually has done, it's hard to see the Packers being able to say the same regarding Wyatt.
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