WARNING: Are the Detroit Lions DOOMED If Alim McNeil Doesn’t RETURN TO FORM?

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4.1 • 680 Ratings

🗓️ 8 May 2026

⏱️ 27 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Detroit Lions face a pivotal question: can Alim McNeil return to form and anchor their defensive resurgence after last season’s injury struggles? Matt Dery breaks down McNeil’s performance drop post-ACL tear, examining concerning Pro Football Focus grades and the urgent need for interior disruption alongside Aidan Hutchinson. With Detroit investing $97 million over four years in McNeil, expectations for interior pressure and run-stopping dominance are at an all-time high as the Lions chase a playoff return in 2026. Matt also spotlights GM Brad Holmes’ assertion that the Lions boast unprecedented depth on both the offensive and defensive lines—while offering a critical take on whether Detroit’s D-line rotation measures up. Plus, get the latest on Jack Campbell’s contract extension prospects, shoutouts to the surging Detroit Pistons, and a heartfelt tribute to Detroit sports talk host Pat Caputo. Don’t miss this essential reset on the Lions’ path forward.

Transcript

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0:00.0	If the Lions want to bounce back here in 2026, on the defensive side, they've got to get it from Alim McNeil.
0:13.4	You are Locked-On Lions, your daily Detroit Lions podcast.
0:18.8	Part of the Locked-On Podcast Network, your team every day.
0:25.2	What's good, everybody?
0:26.2	Matt Derry with you.
0:27.0	It is a Friday edition of Lockdown Lions right here on the Locked-on Podcast Network.
0:30.7	Indeed, your team every day on a Friday, May the 8th coming up on the program today.
0:35.9	Well, then the show talking about the Pistons and also the unfortunate death of Pat Caputo.
0:40.8	Justin Rogers, Detroit Football Network, put out a mailbag recently today and was asked when
0:46.9	Jack Campbell could sign his extension.
0:49.4	I like Justin's answer.
0:50.7	We'll discuss.
0:51.3	Plus, Brad Holmes, Lions General Managers on NFL Network this
0:55.0	morning on Good Morning Football. What did he say? We will tell you. Let's start with talking
0:59.9	about Elim McNeil, the Lions defensive tackle that if you remember in the middle of the
1:05.4	2024 season in October, sign an extension with the Lions for four years and 97 million dollars.
1:13.5	Lee McNeil is making close to $24 million a year and is supposed to be the anchor,
1:20.7	the plugger, the leader of the interior of that defensive line, and really be someone that's disruptive.
1:29.6	And unfortunately, for McNeil in the 2025 season, at the end of the year against the bills,
1:35.3	he tore his ACL, or excuse me, at the end of the 2024 season, he tore his ACL.
1:43.3	Right after, of course, he had signed that big deal. So for 2025,
1:46.6	we knew that there was a chance that Aleem would not be back in time to at least, till at least,
	...

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