After Pewter Report broke the news of the Bucs signing pass rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad on Thursday evening, some might be left wondering who he is, even though he is coming off a career-high 11-sack season with the Lions.

With Detroit adding quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and defensive back Christian Izien from Tampa Bay, the favor has been returned by bringing in inside linebacker Alex Anzalone and Muhammad through free agency. While Anzalone projects as a stabilizing presence up the middle, one can bet on the newly acquired outside linebacker to be different than any other player on defense.

Inside Bucs Pass Rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad’s 11-Sack Breakout With The Lions

“I have a unique story.”

That is what Al-Quadin Muhammad told Go Long’s Tyler Dunne last October in an excellent piece detailing Muhammad’s background and what allowed him to seize his opportunity with the Lions in 2025.

Bucs OLB Al-Quadin Muhammad – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Junfu Han

At that point, the veteran pass rusher was just coming into his own and reaching another gear in the Motor City. A sixth-round pick by the Saints in their historic 2017 NFL draft class, Muhammad only played four games in New Orleans before being let go.

He went on to spend four seasons with the Colts and a year with the Bears in 2022. After that, it appeared his career was on the downturn, as he spent the 2023 season back on Indianapolis’ practice squad. He then served a six-game suspension for performance enhancing drugs before joining the Lions practice squad in October 2024.

It was a last stand to continue his NFL career, and since then his trajectory has been on the upswing.

After getting elevated to the active roster, he first stepped up in a big way during a 38-30 Week 3 win over the Ravens with 2.5 sacks. After the game, he was fired up.

“When you get a f—–g opportunity, you make sure you take advantage of it,” Muhammad said.

Last season he put that mentality on display, turning relentless effort into production for Detroit’s defense.

Bucs OLB Al-Quadin Muhammad – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Junfu Han

“My value is when I chase guys down the field and I’m running out of the stack and I’m flying around,” Muhammad told Dunne during their one-on-one interview. “That’s what people don’t see. The little things. The hustle. The motor. You can’t put a price on that. A lot of people are talented. But mentally do they want to chase a guy 60 yards down the field? Every play? So, it’s just having the will. Yeah, I’m 30. But with being 30 years old, that comes with trials and error, and it also comes with wisdom. And also learning from your mistakes.”

Bucs fans should love to hear this about the team’s newest pass rusher.

Admittedly, Muhammad is not Maxx Crosby or Trey Hendrickson. His name does not come with the same recognition, but in reading what he had to say about his background and identity and watching it on display, there is a true sense Todd Bowles’ defense has added a level of badassery within its ranks.

Is badassery even a word?

I don’t know, but it is now.

Outside of his 2.5 sack performance early on, Muhammad had three sacks during a 44-30 Week 14 win over the Packers. That monster game also saw him earn NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Bucs OLB Al-Quadin Muhammad and ILB Alex Anzalone – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Jeffrey Becker

All told, he recorded 25 tackles, 20 quarterback hits, and 11 sacks last season. Productive as a pass rushing specialist, he comes to Tampa Bay as a soon-to-be 31-year-old. Do not think his age makes him expendable, as he will not hear any of that.

“You don’t know how I take care of my body,” Muhammad said. “You don’t know how I train. You don’t know what my day-to-day looks like. I don’t only have things to prove to myself, but everybody that says, ‘Oh, he’s 30.’ What the f–k does that mean? I should be better, right? Been around. Experienced more. I always remember the things I went through and understand the journey, understand my why.”

His “why” has gotten him this far.

By Adding Al-Quadin Muhammad, Bucs Are Getting Someone Ready To Work

The Bucs desperately needed to add a pass rusher.

After failing to address the position early on in free agency, it got to the point where Pewter Report asked the million-dollar question — What The Hell Are The Bucs Doing?!

Even after signing Al-Quadin Muhammad to a one-year deal worth up to $6 million, they could stand to add yet another pass rusher in the 2026 NFL Draft to round out the outside linebacker room.

Muhammad will likely slot in as the No. 2 pass rusher opposite Yaya Diaby. After playing about 40% of the defensive snaps for the Lions last season, he is expected to fill the same role with perhaps a slight uptick in playing time. That still gives 2025 fourth-round pick David Walker a chance to work in coming off a torn ACL, while drafting a young pass rusher to rotate is the most realistic outcome at this point.

Bucs OLB Al-Quadin Muhammad – Photo by: IMAGN Images

Regardless of how things shake out, expect Muhammad to come in and make left tackle Tristan Wirfs and right tackle Luke Goedeke’s lives a living hell, especially during the dog days of summer in training camp. That was what he did lining up against All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell to earn his stripes.

“Part of being a man is – however the chips may fall – you take it head-on,” Muhammad said about how he approaches football. “I don’t really give a f–k how anybody thinks, how anybody feels, how you may view me, all of that. I don’t care if my name is being blown up, if I get the credit, if I don’t get the credit.

“At the end of the day, I want to be out there doing what I love to do and competing and proving people wrong in silence… My coaches and everybody will tell you, I don’t say too much. I just go work.”

Former Bucs defensive line coach and run game coordinator Kacy Rodgers saw up close and personal how Muhammad plays after filling the same role on the Lions’ coaching staff last season.

“He’s had adversity,” Rodgers said. “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’s trying to make the most of his moment.”

Al-Quadin Muhammad’s next chance to step up and make his presence known will come with the Bucs, and he gets the chance to prove himself all over again.