Originally entered the league as a college free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles on April 28, 2018. Was waived on Aug. 6.
Signed by the Atlanta Falcons as a free agent on Aug. 11, 2018. Was waived and re-signed to the team's practice squad on Sept. 2.
Was waived by the Falcons on Aug. 31, 2019.
Signed to the Seattle Seahawks' practice squad on Sept. 2, 2019. Was promoted to the active roster on Dec. 11.
Was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a free agent on April 4, 2023.
2022 Pro Football Focus First Team All-Pro
Has appeared in 47 career games, making 19 starts, between the Atlanta Falcons (one game) and the Seattle Seahawks (46) games. In his career, has totaled 148 tackles (nine for loss), 16 passes defensed, four quarterback hits, three interceptions, 2.0 sacks and two forced fumbles.Â
Has appeared in four postseason contests, making one start, and totaling 10 tackles.Â
Appeared in 14 games, making a career-high 10 starts, and recording career highs in tackles (66), tackles for loss (four), passes defensed (eight) and forced fumbles (two). Also added one interception, 1.0 sack and one quarterback hit.Â
Received 14 Associated Press All-Pro votes in 2022, second-most among NFC safeties.
According to Pro Football Focus, Neal's 82.0 grade in 2022 was fourth-highest among all safeties, with his 84.4 coverage grade ranking third among safeties.
In Week 7 at L.A. Chargers, logged seven tackles, a career-high four passes defensed and one interception. He was the only player in the NFL to record four-or-more passes defensed that week. His four passes defensed were tied for second-most in a single game by any player in the NFL in 2022.
Played collegiately at Southern Illinois (2014-17), amassing 227 tackles, 19 passes defensed, five interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery across 45 games.Â
Was named honorable mention All-Missouri Valley Football Conference his senior season after posting a team-high-tying 84 tackles and a team-high three interceptions.
Attended Merrillville High School (Merrillville, Ind.)
His older brother, Mike Neal, played linebacker for the Green Bay Packers.