Lions DLAlim McNeillwould be the first to admit that after tearing his ACL during a 2024 Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills, he probably rushed his return a year ago. Taking the field for the first time in Week 7, McNeill’s presence was expected to be a boon to the Lions’ injury-strapped defense. Unfortunately, the premier veteran’s production in 2025 bore little resemblance to his previous elite form.
Lions’ 2026 Training Camp Watch: Has Alim McNeill Regained His Elite Form?
According to Statmuse, before his injury two years ago, McNeill started 14 games, recording 25 tackles (17 solo), seven tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits, 3.5 sacks, one pass defense, and one forced fumble. McNeill earned 40-plus quarterback pressures in consecutive seasons over 2023 and 2024. In 2023, he tied a Detroit franchise record for an interior lineman when he posted a career-best 5.0 sacks for the season. The record was previously set in 2014 by Ndamukong Suh.
However, after returning to action partway through the 2025 season, he posted 14 tackles (5 solo), 1.0 sack, one PBU, and one forced fumble in 77% of the snaps in 10 games. McNeill knew what he was capable of previously. The difference between 2025 and what had been expected of him weighed heavily on his mind during the off-season.
McNeill, Improved Athleticism
Admitting to DC Kelvin Sheppard, “I’ve got to be better for you, Shepp. *..I didn’t play up to par.*” McNeill made changes to his routine in preparation for the upcoming season. During OTAs, the 2021 third-round pick was noticeably looking stronger and faster after adding pilates to strengthen his core and improve his flexibility and balance. His improved physical strength and speed have not gone unnoticed, and experts are predicting a breakout season for the 26-year-old.
McNeill, Improved Mental Outlook
Perhaps even more importantly, McNeill’s mental outlook has changed. It’s not uncommon for athletes returning from injury to be a bit cautious in pushing themselves at full capacity. They don’t trust their bodies to have returned to full strength, so they hold back from making an all-out effort. It takes a while to regain that confidence.
McNeill’s new training regimen and learning how to move differently by incorporating pilates provides another added benefit: a renewed awareness of how his body can transform and improve by acquiring new skills. He sounded quite confident when he told Sheppard, “I’m not hurt anymore, and I can cut it loose.”
Impressing The Lions Coaching Staff
During the OTA media session, Sheppard was asked how confident he was in McNeill’s return to full strength. “As confident as I have ever been…Last year, there were things on tape that clearly showed us, in his mind, it wasn’t physical, and even Alim addressed it, and that is the biggest thing…it had nothing to do with physical capability. He was back. But it’s a mental thing. It was a mental gap…And he has closed that gap, and we see the Mac that we all know right now on the grass. But again, it’s spring, we need to see what this looks like in training camp.”
| Source: Lastwordonsports.com - Sue Levine
McNeill, Returning to His Elite Form
If McNeill regains his previous elite form, the Lions’ defense could look formidable this season. Brad Holmes significantly strengthened the defense through free agency acquisitions and the 2026 NFL Draft. Holmes acquired strength and stability focusing primarily on the secondary and EDGE positions. He signed NFL veteran free agent Jay Tufele to join returning interior line defenders Tyliek Williams, Levi Onwuzurike, Myles Adams, Mekhi Wingo, and Chris Smith. A healthy Onwuzurike’s return from injury will be a significant improvement after missing the entire 2025 season. Second-year talent Williams is also expected to provide a strong presence.
Promising young rookies, Skyler Gill-Howard and Tyre West could also make an impact. Gill-Howard already made waves at OTAs, drawing praise from the LionsWire about his quickness and sense of urgency off the snap.
How McNeill’s Elite Talents Strengthen the Lions Defense
With McNeill back at full strength, the defense can return to their more aggressive and disruptive style. In 2024, the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneerswas a perfect example of just how dangerous the Lions’ defense can be with McNeill on the field.
The Buccaneers were one of only two teams to defeat the Lions that season. However, during the 20-16 loss, Aidan Hutchinson delivered a season-high 4.5 sacks on Baker Mayfield.Without McNeill’s 6’2″ 310 lb. presence wreaking havoc and creating a distraction, Hutchinson’s sensational performance might not have happened. While McNeill’s elite talents can sometimes be overlooked, their impact is unmistakable. His efforts freed up Hutchinson to penetrate the line at will. Consequently, he was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month that September.
However, McNeill’s efforts didn’t go unrecognized by the Lions. The following month, the Lions rewarded him with afour-year, $97 million contract extension in 2024 with $55 million guaranteed. In 2026, he is scheduled to earn $23, 850,000 with a workout bonus of $150,000. After last season’s disappointing outcome, McNeill is even more motivated to show he’s regained his elite form and can have a breakout season for the Lions defense.