As we all know from the Decker thread, he is signed and Brad was then asked about McNeil. Since I’m listening right now, I’ll just transcribe his entire answer so you can decide for youself.
Q (Jansen): So draft, develop, resign. Obviously you’ve nailed the draft; you’ve signed ARSB, Sewell and now Decker. Alim McNeil is a guy going into the last year of his contract. You know we gotta ask you! It’s always the next guy. How important is he in terms of what you want to accomplish upfront but also possibly for the future of this team?
A (Holmes): Yeah he’s another one Dan and I have talked about. He is part of the foundation. He was part of the first draft and we’ve gotten Penei done and gotten St. Brown done and - there’s plenty other guys within that draft class that have played key roles. But Alim, the way he’s developed his game; he’s a total pro, he does everything right and he’s extremely talented. So he’s another one where “it’s about time” and so we will get talks going and hopefully get something done.
Brad, Mike, Dan. Get it done. Seems pretty straight forward to me. Don’t hear a lot of “GM speak” in there.
Later in the interview when discussing the DL, Brad also acknowledged that they recognize that before the injury, Alim was on pace for a potential double digit sack season. So they are paying close attention for sure.
Me personally, I don’t give 20M to any DT that doesn’t put the QB in the dirt a lot. I know there are several 20M plus DT’s that aren’t great pass rushers, but I don’t believe putting high percentages of cap into run stuffers, when you can get really cheap guys who can get that done, is smart business. But Brad loves him some NTs with athleticism, so it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he give McNeil 25 per.
Alim has not proven to be in that class of dt yet. You keep projecting based on him him having a statistically great season.
He could have another 5 sack season and sign for reasonable numbers.
Or he could sign before the season for a reasonable amount.
He isnt making the numbers you are projecting until next year AND after a probowl season.
Now i do think he can do it. Definately. But you are tacking on a lot of extra cash on his deal as if he had already accomplished an elite level of play for a whole season with honors recognition. I love the guy. He is a total pro. But he hasnt earned 27mil a year yet.
Again you are talking about NEXT YEAR AFTER HIS BEST SEASON EVER. For ■■■■ sakes. He has had 1 season of more than 1 sack and it was 5. You are annointing him like he is a 10 sack dt.
He is not top 10 at his position. Dont compare him to franchise QBs for ■■■■ sake.
Every beat writer thinks he is worth around 17-18 mil right now. I think closer to 20. But you are drunk as ■■■■ if you think he is worth 27mil today. ■■■■■■■ delusional.
McNeill is not worth $25M today.
On his current trajectory (not even a big improvement but maintaining last year’s pace for a full season) he will easily get that next season. He is a young ascending player that will complete his entire next contract in his prime.
He is not 28 years old like Christian Wilkins and Kenny Clark.
That’s why I don’t think the contract gets done before the season.
He can take $20M AAV now or bet on his-self and get +25M at the end of the season. He has to stay healthy and get +8 sacks, high pressure rate and still be dominant against the run.
Those are all very likely (if healthy) based on last years pace, but now extremely likely with Reader next to him.