The Detroit Lions made a deliberate choice not to invest heavily in their pass rush this season, opting instead to rely on superstar edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson. That gamble paid off thanks largely to the unexpected emergence of veteran defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad, whose performance helped justify the team’s decision.

Detroit entered the year with Hutchinson returning from a broken leg that ended his previous season in Week 5. Lining up opposite him was Marcus Davenport, whose history of injuries resurfaced quickly when he suffered a pectoral strain in Week 2. With Davenport sidelined, Muhammad stepped into a much larger role and delivered the best season of his career.

Now 30 years old, Muhammad saw his defensive snap count rise dramatically and responded with 11 sacks through 16 games — a mark that exceeds his previous career high by five with one contest still remaining. He has also set personal bests in quarterback hits (20) and tackles for loss (9), with an opportunity to add to those numbers in the season finale against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.

Muhammad’s breakout has been a major factor in Detroit ranking fourth in the NFL in total sacks, with 48 through Week 17. Without his production, the Lions would sit near the middle of the league, tied for 18th with Tampa Bay. Hutchinson leads the team with 13.5 sacks, and together the two accounor more than half of the defense’s total.

Those numbers highlight both Muhammad’s value and a looming dilemma for the Lions. Playing on a one-year deal worth just $1.4 million, Muhammad has dramatically outperformed his contract and positioned himself for a sizable payday when free agency opens in March.

Contract Questions Loom for Detroit
If Detroit again chooses not to spend aggressively on pass rush help in 2026, replacing Muhammad’s production could prove difficult. His pressure numbers were a critical piece of the defense’s success, and losing him could lead to a sharp decline in effectiveness up front.

According to Spotrac, Muhammad’s market value projects to roughly $16.6 million over two years — nearly a sixfold increase in annual pay. While that figure is not extreme for a productive edge rusher, it comes with some risk. Muhammad has recorded 26 sacks across eight NFL seasons, and over 40 percent of them came during this standout year.

That raises valid concerns for the Lions: whether to pay top dollar for a career year at age 30, or risk losing him to another team and attempt to replace his output. It also sparks discussion about how much of Muhammad’s success stems from playing opposite Hutchinson, who regularly commands double- and triple-teams.

“I really hope he’s back,” said Sean Baligian of the Woodward Sports Network on December 29. “But what happens if another team comes in and offers more?”
Parallels to Past Lions Defensive Duos
Baligian drew comparisons between Hutchinson and Muhammad and a former Lions pairing: Ndamukong Suh and Cliff Avril during the early 2010s.

“Cliff Avril benefited greatly from what Suh was doing,” Baligian explained. “He’s even said that himself. And people can argue the same thing here — that Hutchinson drawing all that attention creates opportunities for Muhammad.”

Still, Baligian emphasized that Muhammad deserves credit for capitalizing on those chances. Much like Avril did years ago, Muhammad appears poised to turn his strong season into a lucrative contract elsewhere if Detroit isn’t willing to meet the price.
Muhammad is set to officially hit free agency in March, at which point he’ll be free to negotiate with any team across the league — leaving Detroit with a significant decision to make about the future of its pass rush.