Al-Quadin Muhammad, Lions
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Detroit Lions defensive lineman Al-Quadin Muhammad trying to make a play during an NFL game against the Minnesota Vikings.
The New York Jets are expected to make a splash in free agency.
Insider Greg Auman of NFL on FOX predicted that the Jets will sign Detroit Lions defensive lineman Al-Quadin Muhammad in free agency.
“Muhammad, 30, had the most sacks of any impending free agent in 2025 with 11, all off the bench as a productive rotational player in Detroit. He had six sacks for the Colts in 2021, but has otherwise wandered around the league unremarkably. Could he be a double-digit sack guy in another scheme? If he doesn’t go back to Detroit, could he land with Aaron Glenn and the Jets, who have much more cap space to pay him, say, $7-8 million a year?” Auman wrote.
AG Can Start That Detroit to New York Pipeline
Head coach Aaron Glenn is expected to have his fingerprints all over this team. That is especially true on defense. He is expected to call plays.
Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic said that means several former Lions and other players with AG connections could come on board this offseason.
Muhammad checks off that box.
He was on Aaron Glenn’s defense in Detroit in 2024; they signed him as a free agent. Muhammad also crossed over with AG at the beginning of his NFL journey when he was selected with the No. 196 overall pick in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints. AG served as the defensive backs coach for the Saints in 2017.
Strike While the Iron Is Hot
Muhammad has humble beginnings.
He entered the league as a day three pick. The former Miami product only lasted a year and a half with the team that drafted him before he got waived.
During his nine years in the league, Muhammad has suited up for five teams, including two stints on the Colts.
In eight of those nine years, Muhammad has finished with fewer than 3.5 sacks. However, in 2025, he delivered a career year for the Lions.
He appeared in 17 games, but didn’t make a start. Interestingly, Muhammad only appeared in 41% of the defensive snaps, which was the lowest mark of his career, excluding his rookie season in 2017, when he played in only four games.
Muhammad preferred a quality over quantity approach, and the strategy worked. He finished with career highs in sacks (11), quarterback hits (20), and tackles for loss (nine).
He is 30 years of age and will turn 31 before the start of the 2026 season.
One of the Biggest Needs on the Jets in 2026
The Jets finished with 26 sacks last season. That ranked 31st in the NFL, and the only team that had fewer was the San Francisco 49ers (20), per ESPN.
On the surface, the Jets appear to have two quality pass rushers. Jermaine Johnson is a former Pro Bowler, and Will McDonald has been productive.
Johnson is coming off a three-sack campaign. However, he was also recovering from a torn Achilles, so you have to take that into consideration. In 2026, he will be another year removed from that major surgery.
McDonald had eight sacks after having 10.5 sacks the year before. The problem is that this production is coming in short spurts, and then there are these large gaps where he is invisible on defense.
In May, the Jets have to decide on his fifth-year team option. If it’s declined, McDonald will be a free agent in 2027. If it’s accepted, McDonald will be under team control for the next two seasons through 2027.
According to Over The Cap, McDonald’s fifth-year option is worth $15.38 million. If accepted, that is a fully guaranteed contract option.