Al-Quadin Muhammad arrived in Detroit as a little-known defensive end, and could depart with a pile of sacks and a nice chunk of change. The Lions have a decision to make this offseason on the veteran edge rusher, who's headed for free agency on the heels of a breakthrough campaign.
Muhammad had 12 sacks over his first six years in the NFL before joining the Lions midway through last season. He nearly matched that total this year, finishing with 11 -- good for 11th in the league -- as Detroit's primary pass-rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
"I think I got an opportunity to just show other teams in this league that I can play at a high level," Muhammad said Monday as the Lions cleaned out their lockers in Allen Park. "It's a testament to the way I work, what I stand for, and who I am as a player."
Muhammad chose a good year to stand out. Only three of the NFL's other top 25 players in sacks this season are slated to hit the open market, a trio of vets in Cameron Jordan, 36, Von Miller, 36, and Jadeveon Clowney, 32. The 30-year-old Muhammad led the group in sacks.
As for what his production might mean for his value as a free agent, Muhammad said, "That’s a question for GM’s and front offices. I just know I put myself in a good place and I know something great will happen."
Muhammad is grateful for his time in Detroit and the chance to reunite with Dan Campbell after they first crossed paths on the Saints in 2017. In a perfect world, the Lions will pay him what the market says he's worth and Muhammad will return.
Just don't expect him to take a sentimental approach to free agency. This is an eight-year pro who's played for close to the vet minimum each of the last three seasons who has a chance to cash in. One of the best bargains in the league this season at $1.4 million, Muhammad will be making a business decision.
Asked whether he hopes to stay with the Lions, Muhammad said, "I hope this team values me, and I will go where I’m valued at, to be honest. I would love to be back here, but you ultimately go where you’re valued."
Muhammad isn't much of a run defender with his lighter frame, and the Lions have valued bigger, heavier players on the edge under Campbell and Brad Holmes -- hence their commitment the past two years to Marcus Davenport. Nearly 80 percent of Muhammad's snaps this season came as a pass-rusher.
But it's hard to argue with the production. On top of his sacks, Muhammad had as many quarterback pressures (53) this season, per PFF, as Maxx Crosby, Brian Burns and Montez Sweat, three of the higher-paid players at this position. He can win with twitchiness and speed, and a little power to boot.
To this point in his career, Muhammad has been a journeyman, with stops in New Orleans, Indianapolis, Chicago, Indianapolis (again) and Dallas before coming to Detroit. He took advantage of an expanded role this year after Davenport missed half the season with an upper-body injury, and set himself up for a payday and perhaps a little more stability in the NFL.
"I think it depends on certain teams and organizations that people get drafted to or wind up signing with, sometimes you have good years, sometimes you have not-so-good years and sometimes the league puts narratives on you: ‘This guy is this type of guy, that guy is that type of guy,'" said Muhammad. "And I think I just really got an opportunity to change the narrative, so that feels good.
"Of course you want to go to the playoffs and stuff like that, especially after last year, I had really high hopes and we set out goals for ourselves personally and as a team. And yeah, I had 11 sacks and that’s great and all that, but I wish we were playing next week."
Free agency opens in March, the same month that Muhammad turns 31. His value in the NFL might never be this high again. He wants to make it count, whether that's here or elsewhere.
"The biggest thing you can do is to put your head down and keep working," he said. "And that’s what I have done in my career. No matter what happened, being released, getting paid, being up, being down, however it may have played out, all I did was just stay steady and grind and not blink. I’m happy that I got an opportunity to be a part of this organization and got some chances to take advantage of the opportunity that was given to me."