The Detroit Lions have already lost multiple players to free-agency, including Alex Anzalone (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), wide-receiver Kalif Raymond (Chicago Bears), corner Amik Robertson (Washington Commanders), and tackle Roy Lopez (Arizona Cardinals).
On Friday, they lost defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad, who joined forces with Anzalone by signing with the Buccaneers. According to NFL Network, the contract is worth up to $6 million.
It sounds as though there may be an element of confusion on the part of Muhammad, who had words for the Lions not long after signing with the Bucs.
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Former Detroit Lions Defensive End Al-Quadin Muhammad Had Words After Departing
Muhammed, who had spent the last two seasons with the Lions, said that he wasn’t sure why he wasn’t given a contract extension offer from general manger Brad Holmes, and is already looking forward to facing them with Tampa Bay in the upcoming 2026 NFL season.
“I don’t really know (with) Detroit (or) how they thought about it or exactly what went into it, and I don’t really care,” Muhammad said. “I’m in Tampa, and I’m happy to be in Tampa. And if I’m not mistaken, they’re on a schedule this year, so I’m excited about that.”
However, Muhammad was sure to give a shout out to Lions fans and the organization for giving him the opportunity to play for them.
“And I do love Detroit, and it was amazing,” he said. “It was amazing. It’s a great organization, and I appreciate them for giving me the opportunity to go out there and do some great things, and I look forward to also playing against them.”
The Lions will face Muhammad and the Buccaneers at Ford Field at some point during the upcoming season, and the former Lion will no doubt be motivated to put his best foot forward and show Detroit that they made a mistake by not re-signing him to a new contract.
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Al-Quadin Muhammad Had A Breakout Season With Detroit In 2025
Originally selected by the New Orleans Saints in the sixth round (196th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft, Muhammad had played high school football at Don Bosco Preparatory High School, eventually working his way up to the first overall ranked prospect in the state of New Jersey.
Committing to play college ball at the University of Miami, Muhammad eventually cost himself the entire 2014 season after an altercation with a teammate. He also missed the entire 2016 season because of a luxury rental car scandal in violation of NCAA rules.
He did rack up 54 tackles and five sacks in 12 games played during the 2015 season.
Muhammad played in four games for the Saints during his rookie season, but was included in the final round of roster cuts prior to the following season.
Since then, he’s had two separate tenures with the Indianapolis Colts along with stints with the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys before he signed with the Lions in October 2024.
This past season, he earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in Week 14, and amassed career-highs in sacks (11), tackles for loss (9) and quarterback hits (20) while playing in all 17 games.
Al-Quadin Muhammad Eager To Punish Lions For Not Re-signing Him