One of the primary concerns for the Detroit Lions heading into the 2025 offseason is their defensive line, with significant uncertainty surrounding one of their two starters.
While the team has both of its 2025 starters under contract on the interior with D.J. Reader and Alim McNeill, McNeill’s availability for the start of the 2025 season is in question after he tore his ACL in December.
During a recent team locker clean-out following their playoff loss to the Washington Commanders in the divisional round, McNeill was seen using crutches and did not have an update on his injury status.
“Now that we’re done, I gotta get back on the field as fast as I can,” McNeill stated, per Tim Twentyman of the team’s official website. “I’m not gonna rush or anything but I’m gonna push myself for sure.”
Given the uncertainty surrounding McNeill’s recovery, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox speculates that the Lions will sign Cincinnati Bengals free-agent defensive lineman B.J. Hill.
“The prediction here is Hill finds a new home with the Detroit Lions,” Knox wrote. “They battled numerous defensive injuries in 2024 and lost star defensive tackle Alim McNeill to a torn ACL in Week 15.”
“Adding Hill would provide insurance during his recovery, and the Lions could use additional depth along their defensive front anyway.”
While there has been speculation the Lions might cut Reader this offseason, that seems unlikely. Reader had a strong first season with Detroit, and it’s expected he’ll be even better in 2025 after fully recovering from a torn quadriceps injury.
The Lions should not only keep Reader for another season but also aim to add more depth. Re-signing Levi Onwuzurike could make sense, though he might leave in free agency for a team offering a guaranteed starting role—a position Detroit won’t be able to offer until 2026, when Reader becomes a free agent. Onwuzurike could also become more expensive after his breakout year.
Hill would be a solid backup option for McNeill and a strong addition to the depth once McNeill returns from injury. Hill recorded three sacks, 32 pressures, and a Pro Football Focus run defense grade of 69.2 in 2024, showcasing his all-around value.
Spotrac predicts Hill could sign a two-year, $18 million deal in free agency, a contract the Lions can afford given their estimated $46.5 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap.
While it would be ideal for the Lions to re-sign Onwuzurike as a potential long-term solution on the interior if Reader leaves in 2026, Hill would serve as a solid alternative and bridge option for Detroit.
