The Bucs have finally found an edge rusher as they’ve signed Al-Quadin Muhammad to a one-year deal. Pewter Report was the first to break the news.

He will be 31 years old by the end of the month, but brings a lot of veteran experience with defensive production. Following an initial visit, he decided to sign on with Tampa Bay.

Muhammad had a breakout season last year with the Lions in the eighth year of his career. He had a personal best 11 sacks, and that included a game in Week 14 where he tallied three sacks and four quarterback hits to win NFC Defensive Player Of The Week.

The Bucs needed depth at edge rusher and they get a player that can put up production for them in. Al-Quadin Muhammad. He’s a seasoned defender who has built a reputation as a physical presence on the edge throughout his NFL career.

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

For Tampa Bay, the move represents another step in strengthening a pass rush that has been looking for additional consistency and rotational depth.

Bucs Get A Veteran With Experience Across the League

Muhammad entered the NFL as a sixth-round pick of the New Orleans Saints in the 2017 draft after playing his college football at the University of Miami. While he didn’t immediately carve out a large role in New Orleans, his physicality and effort quickly caught the attention of other teams.

He later found a more consistent opportunity with the Indianapolis Colts, where he spent several seasons developing into a reliable rotational defensive end. During his time in Indianapolis, Muhammad proved valuable as a strong-side edge defender who could set the edge against the run while also providing occasional pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

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

Muhammad has also spent time with the Chicago Bears, continuing to build his résumé as a veteran depth option capable of contributing in multiple defensive fronts. His next stop was briefly with the Cowboys where he was cut in training camp in 2024, but then signed to the Lions practice squad in October and ended up playing in nine games with two starts.

The 2025 season saw his best play yet with 11 sacks. Playing with edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson likely helped in that category as he got more opportunities.

Throughout his career, Muhammad has been known less for gaudy sack totals and more for his physical style of play. He’s built a reputation as a high-effort defender who plays with power at the point of attack and can help stabilize the edge in run defense.

That skill set could be particularly valuable for a Buccaneers defense that asks its outside linebackers and defensive ends to play disciplined football while still generating pressure.

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

Coming to Tampa Bay, Muhammad will join his former Lions teammate, linebacker Alex Anzalone, who agreed to a two-year contract with the Bucs earlier in the week. There’s some continuity between the two as they put on the red and pewter uniforms.

What Does This Mean For Bucs’ OLB Room?

The signing of Muhammad does not preclude the Bucs from drafting an edge rusher in the draft coming up in a couple of months. That and the inside linebacker should continue to be the priority.

Adding Muhammad gives the Bucs a little more flexibility at outside linebacker. And until an edge rusher is drafted or another player is signed, he’ll slot into a starting role with Yaya Diaby and on the other side. That gives Tampa Bay Anthony Nelson, David Walker and Chris Braswell backing them up with Nelson and Walker as the next two in the rotation.

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

If the Bucs were to draft a Cashius Howell or R Mason Thomas, it’s probable that they could end up starting or eventually getting the starting role during the season. This makes for good competition between Diaby and Muhammad as the top guy while also making a more complete pass rush at the position.

It may not have been the blockbuster move that many expected, but its a quality depth piece that Tampa Bay need to make for the team.