The Detroit Lions are very much in need of defensive end help, and their situation may be only getting worse. According to several reports, Lions’ free agent edge defender Al-Quadin Muhammad is visiting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
UPDATE: Per Ian Rapoport, Muhammad is signing a one-year deal with the Buccaneers worth up to $6 million.
Muhammad, 31, is coming off a career year. As mostly a late-down defender, Muhammad posted 11.0 sacks, 53 pressures, and an impressive 71.9 PFF pass rushing grade. His previous season-high was 6.0 sacks back in 2021.
Last year, the Lions re-signed Muhammad to just a one-year, $1.4 million deal, so the veteran defensive end is certainly due for a significant pay raise this offseason. At this point, it isn’t clear if the Lions are still interested in bringing him back for another season. Detroit has yet to make a move at defensive end, but general manager Brad Holmes did say at the end of the season that there was going to have to be some work opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
“Muhammad played really well. I’m not sure many other teams had an 11-sack and a 14.5-sack guy. I thought the rush was good, but I understand he’s a free agent. (Marcus) Davenport is a free agent, so we’re definitely going to have to look and replenish opposite of Hutch for sure,” Holmes said.
At the moment, the Lions only have three defensive ends signed to the roster: Hutchinson, Ahmed Hassanein, and defensive tackle/end hybrid Tyler Lacy. Earlier this free agency, Tyrus Wheat signed with the Dallas Cowboys.
There is still plenty of defensive end talent out there available in free agency, including Joey Bosa, AJ Epenesa, Arnold Ebiketie, Cameron Jordan, and Jadeveon Clowney. But at some point, the Lions are actually going to have to sign a guy or two.
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