The Detroit Lions media staff typically sets up the post-practice interview subjects before practice starts, barring something exceptional happening in the training camp session. On Monday, the first padded practice of camp, the Lions media staff had already tabbed defensive tackle Alim McNeill to speak with us before the exceptional news happened.
That news, of course, was the three-year contract extension with left tackle Taylor Decker. The new deal with Decker means everyone who needed to get paid, and who was eligible to be paid as a franchise building block this offseason, has gotten paid — except McNeill.
Entering the final year of his four-year rookie contract, McNeill has emerged as one of the NFL’s bright young standouts at his position. Despite almost no help from anyone around him on the defensive interior, McNeill managed five sacks and a more polished all-around impact in his third year.
McNeill is poised for a huge season, which leads many to believe he’s also poised for a huge new contract. Yet McNeill himself doesn’t seem concerned at all with the business side of his career, not while training camp is going on.
“Honestly, I told my agent not to talk to me about that,” McNeill said after practice. “I’m in training camp right now, so I’m not even thinking about that. I’ve got to play good. I’m worried about winning this year. Whatever happens, happens. But I haven’t done any of that.”
McNeill has impressed all offseason, and the first padded practice was no exception. His combination of quickness, agility and brute strength is a very difficult assignment for blockers, and McNeill’s subtle work on his technique has made him a real force inside.
He’s clearly energized by the addition of veteran DT DJ Reader, who continues to rehab from a torn quad injury and hasn’t been cleared to practice yet. McNeill talked about Reader’s impact, as well as the bump his confidence has received from new DL coach Terrell Williams, too.
He knows the money will be there, and he knows he wants to stay and grow in Detroit. McNeill also smartly knows the best way to get paid is to keep on playing at a high level, and that is his sole focus right now.
