Hidden Value of Al-Quadin Muhammad
July 4th, 2026
Bucs edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad.
OK, OK, OK. Joe understands the following is using mental gymnastics. But hear Joe out.
Besides, it’s the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The NFL, short of someone pulling a JPP today, is as quiet as it gets all year long. Yes, Joe has plenty more to come today.
Joe thinks the Bucs may have gotten a hidden deal when Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht signed Detroit free agent edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad. ALQ is coming off an 11-sack season, something unseen in these here parts since Bucs sacks king Shaq Barrett was in his prime. And still, Muhammad landed in Tampa with the Bucs coughing up relatively little money.
(Joe remains confused how a guy who had 11 sacks couldn’t start one game. Does Lions shot-caller Dan Campbell really believe teams won’t throw on first downs?)
Seth Walder of BSPN, a man who never met a number he didn’t like, really liked the number $4 million; that’s the salary the Bucs gave ALQ for only one season. So does Joe.
Joe thinks that is going to keep ALQ hungry. He’s in another contract year. And you can bet if he has a good year, he’s going to want much more than. Let’s say ALQ gets 10 or more sacks. Back-to-back years of double-digit sacks should get him what he wants: a bidding war for his services.
And maybe, just maybe, if ALQ has a good season, he may want to stay in Tampa Bay. Even better for the Bucs.
July 4th, 2026 at 6:57 am
Interesting that you should mention chat. If you recall, he wasn’t a starter when the Bucs plucked him away from Denver. He played behind Von Miller. Yeah and still even though he wasn’t a starter he became a productive player for us. Let’s hope ALQ does the same thing.
July 4th, 2026 at 7:04 am
The putrid pass defense of recent past-Has a lot of reasons to be better this year this is just one of them
July 4th, 2026 at 7:06 am
PFF game him a 59 in run defense, that’s not horrible
July 4th, 2026 at 7:42 am
At the very least AQM should sub-in for YaYa on passing downs. YaYa’s great in the run game but a one-trick pony with his bull rushes and pressures.
July 4th, 2026 at 7:54 am
Joe,
I don’t know the Lions complete history last year. But, supposedly, the Lions had the NFL’s 4th ranked run defense through the first 7 games. Then, after their week 8 bye week, they finished with the 14th ranked run defense.
So, maybe Campbell had the other teams figured out until the bye week when they figured him out?
Or, maybe someone was injured.
Anyway, for the first 7 games, Campbell had something that was working.
In any event, hopefully, Al-Quadin will be Shaq 2 in Tampa.
Or, as free agents go, I would settle for him being Simeon Rice 2 in Tampa.
If his production playing behind Bain and Diaby is even 80% of what it was last year, the Bucs will be pretty well set with 9 sacks from their second string OLB.
July 4th, 2026 at 8:44 am
All I know is he’s a HUGE upgrade over Braswell… with the additions to D Line and OLBs I’m betting Braswell will be on the bubble of even making this roster.
July 4th, 2026 at 8:46 am
ALQ? No no. It’s AQM. YOU LNOW, because of his name.
July 4th, 2026 at 8:54 am
If he’s happy being Bain’s backup great. I think if he has a good year he could be looking to start, and want more than we can pay him. This season tho, have to feel better having him, and Bain. Major upgrades.