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.
July 4th, 2026 at 10:52 am
Braswell might get cut.
OLBs
1. Yaya
2. Bain
3. Mohammed
4. David Walker
5. Anthony Nelson
6. Braswell
Are we really going to keep SIX OLB’s?
Braswell was awful on special teams too.
If we cut him, and he signs elsewhere, do we free up cap space?
July 4th, 2026 at 11:13 am
He’s a pass rushing specialist. Like a left handed bullpen guy. A lot of value in that if used properly. What’s good is he’s used to playing limited snaps and not starting and still being effective in that role. Based on last years stats he has a good probability of getting to the qb when on the field if used in that specific role.
I think it’s a great fit for obvious pass rushing downs. Maybe Todd can figure out a way to get him, Bain, and Yaya on the field at the same time on passing downs.
Nelson is a good compliment because he sets the edge and good against the run. If walker is adequate at both you should have the making of a balanced depth at the position.
July 4th, 2026 at 11:57 am
Most of those sacks were QBs running away from Aidan that’s why he only got $4 million, last I checked Aidan doesn’t play for the Bucs
July 4th, 2026 at 12:14 pm
Guzzie.. let’s use your logic.. in that case- looking at the Browns where Miles Garret had 23 sacks last year and certainly qbs were running away from him. Why is it the next most sacks on the team was 6 by a DT? Alex Wright had 5.5 half of what Mohammad did.
July 4th, 2026 at 1:10 pm
Dan Campbell got the most out of him.
Tdod get the least out of his, probably be a Michael Johnson kind of year for ALQ.
July 4th, 2026 at 1:29 pm
AQM can play a variety of techniques up front to the point I’m almost expecting to see him line up in the 4i or even a 3-tech on our 5 man fronts. All dependent on what the call is and how we’re trying to exploit the protection of the front. Obviously can rush well enough in a pinch to be a handful for OTs, so it’s not too far fetched to think on a 5 man front with Vita/Robins at the 0-tech that he can get in the trenches and bull offensive guards.
It’d be interesting to see him to the inside of Yaya/Bain/Walker in a given rotation. Also think we’ll see an uptick in our loop/stunt frequency to get either of the 3 guys/AQM a free run into the backfield. I’ll take all the sacks, throws into the dirt or into empty space, and anything that else comes with our ability to apply pressure and disrupt plays.
July 4th, 2026 at 1:46 pm
Didn’t he have like 5 or 6 of his 11 in 2 games vs weak opposition and likely with a lead where he could tee off?
Hey im hopeful and surely he is better than Braswell, likely Nelly so I am not knocking him just staying realistic.
If we can get 6-7 sacks outta him and he doesn’t hurt the run D… that’s a massive win at 4 million.
July 4th, 2026 at 2:13 pm
Like the signed the Bucs tried last year with Riddick. Didn’t pan out. The this does. Can’t ever have to many pass rushers
July 4th, 2026 at 3:52 pm
Aqualung and his mancrush Dan Campbell 🤣
Detroit is a mess and sinking bro.
July 4th, 2026 at 4:05 pm
Super Todd will have him back in pass coverage vs a WR1 twenty yards downfield.
Bowles is the Sultan of Suck.
July 4th, 2026 at 5:10 pm
If kancey and Vea ,lead the pack and get the push ill get 16 sacks,Its all about the front
July 4th, 2026 at 5:12 pm
Its like a pack of wolves or any other pack animal they flush it out to the alpha/edge waiting!
July 4th, 2026 at 5:19 pm
GUZZY! Crazy ! You want your TEAMMATE to pick up the pieces thats why it’s called a team!