Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeill (54). Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Lions Discuss Expectations for Alim McNeill in 2026

Originally posted on Detroit Lions on SI
By Christian Booher | Last updated Apr 1, 2026 8:59 AM ET

The Detroit Lions are expecting a return to form from one of their top defensive linemen in 2026.

Alim McNeill missed the first six games of the 2025 season rehabbing a torn ACL, and did not have the level of impact that was initially expected upon his return. He finished the year with one sack, which didn't come until Week 14 against the Dallas Cowboys.

Signed to a four-year contract extension that made him one of the highest-paid defensive tackles in the league during the 2024 campaign, expectations are high for McNeill. Add in the fact that the Lions lost Roy Lopez and have elected not to re-sign DJ Reader up to this point, and McNeill will be counted on to anchor the defensive line.

McNeill's torn ACL has created some uncertainty for the future, as the magnitude of the injury sometimes has a significant impact on a player's athleticism and explosiveness. However, the Lions are confident that he will return to form in 2026.

Lions' sixth-year head coach Dan Campbell noted the difficulty of the rehab as a factor that inhibited McNeill's performance. Now, the team believes with a full offseason that McNeill will be ready to go.

"Alim is only gonna be so much better from that. Alim would never say anything about that, but any player that comes off of that injury, it’s hard," Campbell said in an interview with FOX-2. "It’s hard to be back to what you were immediately after it once you’ve rehabbed. I’m not worried about Mac, Mac’s gonna come in and do well."

McNeill ranked 32nd of 35 Lions defenders last season in overall Pro Football Focus grade, earning a 52.1 mark. He also had career-worst grades in run defense, pass-rush and tackling, marking his 2025 campaign as the worst metrically of his five-year career.

For the Lions to be successful defensively in 2026, a return to form for McNeill is a necessity. In 2024, when the Lions finished the regular season 15-2, McNeill was playing at a Pro Bowl level prior to suffering his season-ending ACL injury in December.

That year, he had 3.5 sacks and 45 pressures. He ranked third on the team in sacks behind Aidan Hutchinson and Za'Darius Smith, and was tied-for-second in pressures with Hutchinson behind Levi Onwuzurike.

In 2023, when the Lions went to the NFC Championship game, he ranked second in both sacks and pressures. This illustrates the impact that he can have when playing at his best, as he's a difference-making member of the defense.

Detroit will also be leaning on 2025 first-round pick Tyleik Williams to take a jump in production, as the Ohio State product played sparingly in his first NFL season. Levi Onwuzurike is back after missing all of last season, and could have a big impact if he's able to stay healthy.

This article first appeared on Detroit Lions on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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