Yeah, one could argue new Bucs edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad thrived and soared in a contract year with the Lions last season, but one could make a case Muhammad has been in a contract year ever since he was drafted in 2017.

A sixth-round draft pick of a good Saints team, Muhammad needed to make the Saints roster. He did, but he got waived the following summer.

Then Muhammad was claimed by the Colts but soon landed on their practice squad, which terminated his rookie contract. A year later in 2019, Muhammad was a solid contributor for Indianapolis and his 2020 campaign there was a contract year. Muhammad was a nothing-special backup that season but earned a one-year, $2.9 million contract for 2021.

In 2022, the Colts were done with Muhammad — not a happy parting of ways — and Muhammad signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the Bears, but only one year was guaranteed. After that season’s Super Bowl, Muhammad was launched by Chicago.

In 2023, Muhammad was back on the Colts’ practice squad and then suspended in December for performance-enhancing drugs.

In 2024, teams didn’t want to touch Muhammad in free agency. Remaining suspension time likely was a factor. He landed with the Cowboys in August but that lasted four weeks. He was back again on the Lions practice squad and had a 3 sacks after getting to the active roster in November.

Is it easy to see now how Muhammad has always been a year-to-year player?

Last season, Muhammad got about 900,000 guaranteed to return to Detroit. He exploded with 11 sacks in part-time duty but only got a one-year deal in free agency from the Bucs. OverTheCap.com reported it’s $2.5 million guaranteed as part of a $4 million salary. Other reports said Muhammad can early another $2 million in incentives.

For fans who want to understand Muhammad, Joe recommends the GoLong.com feature on him last year. Reporter Tyler Dunne dives very deep and explains what drives Muhammad and why he considers himself “a sick fu*k.”

Dunne also talked to Lions defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers, the former Todd Bowles confidant and Bucs defensive line coach (2019-2024).

Kacy Rodgers took over as the Lions’ defensive line coach last spring and was immediately impressed by Muhammad’s football IQ. That’s what allows him to stalk along the line, position to position, in search of a juicy mismatch. And when the ball’s snapped? He’s all gas, no brakes. Rodgers cites a play vs. Cincinnati in which Muhammad chased Jake Browning across the field.

“That’s the way he is in practice,” Rodgers says. “High energy, high motor. He’s always 100 miles an hour.”

Rodgers has coached defensive linemen in college and the pros since 1994.

Too many pass rushers, he explains, get stopped initially and concede defeat. Not Muhammad. He “outworks” linemen. Up close, Rodgers sees how this all is a direct extension of his NFL journey. Linemen think they’ve got Muhammad blocked up and he drives harder. He busts free.

“He’s had adversity,” Rodgers says. “He plays like every play is his last because he’s been where they call you in and say, ‘We don’t have a place for you.’ So he plays with a chip on his shoulder. He feels like he’s got something to prove. No one in the outside world thought there was another rusher in the building. So he’s saying to himself, ‘What am I? Chopped liver? Then, I was sitting on the couch. This organization gave me a chance.’ He’s trying to make the most of his moment.”

What a wild card Muhammad will be this season.