All mankind, less true Africans, have more than a smattering of Neanderthal DNA in them.
I’d say they were just another variety of humans and bred into the population.
Also, for the record, Neaderthals were likely smarter than the average homo sapien, with larger brains. Stronger, too.
This is actually my true opinion. I never did understand why some many anthropologists were so eageer to designate them as a distinct species, unable to breed with modern humans, on what seemed to me to ve very little evidence. Or maybe I do.
Homo sapiens could outrun a neanderthal. Neanderthals would have a strength advantage, but modern humans could attack with projectile weapons and run out of reach. H. sap had atlatls and perhaps bows 50,000 years ago.
Constant warfare was the way of life for most primitive societies.
Our ancestors probably ATE the neanderthals.