Story byJeff BilbreyMon, February 16, 2026 at 2:12 AM UTC·2 min readAl-Quadin Muhammad quietly put together one of the most productive seasons of his NFL career in 2025, and it came in a role that didn’t even guarantee him a starting spot. Now, as free agency approaches, the question isn’t whether Muhammad earned himself a market. It’s where that market will be strongest. Al-Quadin Muhammad injury update Al-Quadin Muhammad future with Lions Al-Quadin Muhammad 2026A Sneaky-Productive Year in DetroitMuhammad finished the 2025 season with 11 sacks, the most of any impending free agent edge defender. What makes that number even more impressive is how he got there. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHe did it off the benchHe did it as a rotational pass rusherHe did it without being the focal point of the defensive frontAccording to PFF, Muhammad posted:74.3 overall defensive grade71.9 pass-rush grade53 total pressures12 sacks (top-10 among edge defenders)That production stands out, especially for a player who has largely flown under the radar throughout his career. Why Teams Will Be Interested — and Why Detroit Might Not PayMuhammad has shown flashes before, notably with six sacks for Indianapolis in 2021, but consistency has never defined his career.