Arizona Cardinals

• Elevated: CB Divaad Wilson

Atlanta Falcons

• Elevated: WR Chris Blair, OLB Khalid Kareem

Buffalo Bills

• Elevated: WR Tyrell Shavers, WR K.J. Hamler
• Placed on IR: LB Baylon Spector

Chicago Bears

• Activated from IR: G Ryan Bates (story)
• Elevated: T Jake Curhan, LB Carl Jones Jr.

Dallas Cowboys

• Elevated: CB Josh Butler, WR Jalen Cropper

Denver Broncos

• Activated from IR: C Luke Wattenberg
• Elevated: FB Michael Burton, LB Zach Cunningham

Detroit Lions

• Signed to active roster: LB Abraham Beauplan, OLB Al-Quadin Muhammad, TE Shane Zylstra
• Elevated: T Jamarco Jones, LB Zeke Turner
• Placed on IR: LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin
• Waived: DE Isaiah Thomas

Houston Texans

• Elevated: DT Tommy Togiai

Indianapolis Colts

• Elevated: WR Laquon Treadwell

Kansas City Chiefs

• Elevated: LB Cole Christiansen, WR Justyn Ross

Los Angeles Chargers

• Signed to active roster: TE Tucker Fisk
• Elevated: CB Eli Apple, OLB Caleb Murphy 

Miami Dolphins

• Waived: DT Brandon Pili

Minnesota Vikings

• Elevated: LS Jake McQuaide

New England Patriots

• Elevated: LB Joe Giles-Harris, TE Mitchell Wilcox

New Orleans Saints

• Elevated: WR Kevin Austin, WR Dante Pettis

New York Giants

• Elevated: LB Curtis Bolton, WR Isaiah Hodgins

New York Jets

• Elevated: K Spencer Shrader

San Francisco 49ers

• Elevated: S Tashaun Gipson

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Activated from IR: LS Evan Deckers
• Elevated: WR Marquez Callaway, LB Vi Jones
• Waived: LS Zach Triner

Tennessee Titans

• Elevated: C Corey Levin, S Daryl Worley

Washington Commanders

• Signed to active roster: RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
• Elevated: K Zane Gonzalez, DE Efe Obada
• Placed on IR: TE Colson Yankoff

Spector will miss at least the next four games as a result of the Bills’ move. He has remained a mainstay on special teams this year, having also done so in 2022 and ’23. The former seventh-rounder has made three starts on defense, however, so his absence will be felt moving forward. Linebacker has been a position hit hard by injuries this season, and Buffalo’s depth at the second level will now be tested even further.

Wattenberg had his 21-day practice window opened by the Broncos earlier this week, paving the way for today’s activation. The 27-year-old operated as the team’s starting center prior to going down after having won a summer competition for the gig with Alex Forsyth. Forsyth handled first-team duties over the past four games, drawing a superior PFF evaluation and therefore potentially playing his way into an extended look atop the depth chart. At a minimum, having Wattenberg back will give Denver – a team with three IR activations left – depth up front.

Arizona Cardinals

• Elevated: DL Ben Stille

Atlanta Falcons

• Elevated: CB Natrone Brooks, DE Demone Harris

Baltimore Ravens

• Elevated: NT Josh Tupou, DE Chris Wormley

Carolina Panthers

• Signed to active roster: TE Jordan Matthews
• Elevated: CB Caleb Farley, WR Deven Thompkins

Chicago Bears

• Elevated: T Jack Curhan, CB Reddy Steward

Cincinnati Bengals

• Elevated: T Devin Cochran, WR Kendric Pryor

Cleveland Browns

• Elevated: DT Sam Kamara

Denver Broncos

• Elevated: LB Kwon Alexander, FB Michael Burton

Detroit Lions

• Signed to active roster: LB Abraham Beauplan, DL Chris Smith
• Elevated: OLB Al-Quadin Muhammad, TE Shane Zylstra
• Released: TE Parker Hesse

Green Bay Packers

• Elevated: CB Kamal Hadden

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Elevated: WR Elijah Cooks, WR Austin Trammell
• Placed on IR: WR Christian Kirk (story)

Kansas City Chiefs

• Signed to active roster: TE Peyton Hendershot
• Placed on IR: TE Jared Wiley

Los Angeles Rams

• Elevated: LB Elias Neal, P Ty Zentner

Miami Dolphins

• Elevated: DT Neil Farrell, LS Matt Overton

New Orleans Saints

• Signed to active roster: S Millard Bradford, CB Shemar Jean-Charles, RB Jordan Mims
• Elevated: CB Tre Herndon, S Roderic Teamer
• Placed on IR: WR Bub Means, RB Kendre Miller
• Waived: G Kyle Hergel

Philadelphia Eagles

• Elevated: TE E.J. Jenkins

Tennessee Titans

• Signed to active roster: CB Justin Hardee, RB Joshua Kelley, WR Bryce Oliver
• Elevated: C Corey Levin, QB Trevor Siemian
• Placed on IR: OL Andrew Rupcich
• Waived: TE Thomas Odukoya

Washington Commanders

• Elevated: RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Arizona Cardinals

• Elevated: DL Ben Stille, CB Divaad Wilson

Atlanta Falcons

• Elevated: CB Natrone Brooks, DE Demone Harris

Baltimore Ravens

• Activated from IR: CB Jalyn Armour-Davis
• Elevated: CB Bump Cooper Jr.
• Placed on IR: CB T.J. Tampa

Buffalo Bills

• Elevated: DT Eli Ankou, WR Jalen Virgil

Chicago Bears

• Activated from IR: RB Travis Homer, DE Jacob Martin
• Elevated: S Tarvarius Moore

Dallas Cowboys

• Signed to active roster: CB Amani Oruwariye
• Elevated: RB Dalvin Cook (story)
• Placed on IR: TE John Stephens (story)

Denver Broncos

• Elevated: LB Kwon Alexander, G Calvin Throckmorton

Detroit Lions

• Elevated: OLB Al-Quadin Muhammad, TE Shane Zylstra

Green Bay Packers

• Elevated: CB Robert Rochell

Houston Texans

• Elevated: FB Troy Hairston

Kansas City Chiefs

• Elevated: WR Montrell Washington

Las Vegas Raiders

• Elevated: QB Carter Bradley, TE Justin Shorter

Los Angeles Chargers

• Elevated: WR Jaylen Johnson, WR Jalen Reagor

New England Patriots

• Elevated: LB Ochaun Mathis

New Orleans Saints

• Signed to active roster: S Ugo Amadi
• Elevated: WR Equanimeous St. Brown, S Roderic Teamer
• Waived: RB Jordan Mims

New York Jets

• Elevated: OL Alec Lindstrom, S Jarius Monroe

Philadelphia Eagles

• Activated from IR: WR Ainias Smith

San Francisco 49ers

• Elevated: S Adrian Amos, K Anders Carlson

Seattle Seahawks

• Activated from IR: S Jerrick Reed II
• Elevated: CB Faion Hicks, CB Josh Jobe

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Activated from IR: WR Rakim Jarrett
• Elevated: QB Michael Pratt

Tennessee Titans

• Signed to active roster: CB Gabe Jeudy-Lally, WR Mason Kinsey, T John Ojukwu
• Elevated: RB Joshua Kelley, QB Trevor Siemian
• Placed on IR: T Jaelyn Duncan
• Waived: OLB Caleb Murphy

In addition to reuniting Bowser with defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver after their time together in Baltimore, Miami brought in a few names to work out for potential contracts. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, veterans Shaq Lawson, Al-Quadin Muhammad, and Cam Gill were all in South Florida today to audition for potential roster spots.

While both Lawson and Weaver have spent time with the Jets, Bills, and Dolphins, their time never lined up together. Lawson does have experience in Miami, though, starting seven games for the team in 2020 and delivering four sacks and a career-high 18 quarterback hits. Since then, he has remained in the AFC East, spending a year with the Jets and two more seasons with the Bills, who drafted him in 2016. His role in Buffalo last year was minimal as he served as an occasional sub in the defensive pass rush.

Muhammad had an impressive 2021 campaign in Indianapolis. In his first season as a full-time starter, the Miami (FL) product delivered career highs in sacks (6.0), total tackles (48), and quarterback hits (13). Rewarded with a new contract in Chicago, Muhammad struggled to find similar success in his new role with the Bears. He spent last year on the Colts’ practice squad but didn’t play, especially after a six-game suspension was levied on him by the league for violating the NFL’s PED policy.

Gill, a former undrafted free agent for the Buccaneers, fought back from his own recent injury history to play 15 games in Tampa Bay last year. He doesn’t quite have the pass rushing upside that Lawson and Muhammad bring to the table, but he remains a potential body that Miami could add on defense.

Weaver has plenty of options to try and replace Phillips as the team moves forward with its season, though none of the options will likely match the production Phillips brought to the table. Regardless, as Miami continues to be plagued with injuries on both sides of the ball, adding quality bodies continues to be the focus.

Atlanta Falcons

• Signed: T Brandon Parker

Carolina Panthers

• Signed from practice squad: RB Mike Boone, DB Lonnie Johnson
• Waived: LB Jamie Sheriff

Cleveland Browns

• Signed from practice squad: DE Sam Kamara

New York Giants

• Signed from practice squad: FB Jakob Johnson

Pittsburgh Steelers

• Placed on IR: P Cameron Johnston (story)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Signed: CB Keenan Isaac
• Placed on IR: CB Bryce Hall (story)

Free Agent

• Suspension lifted: CB J.C. Jackson, DE Al-Quadin Muhammad, WR Michael Thomas
• Suspended: WR Hayden Hatten

Not long after being a 49ers cut as the NFC champions pared set their initial 53-man roster, Parker secured another opportunity. The 49ers carried Parker on their roster this offseason and brought him back shortly after releasing him. A 33-game starter with the Raiders, Parker joins a Falcons roster housing Storm Norton as the swingman behind Jake Matthews and Kaleb McGary.

Isaac went to camp with the Bucs but caught on with the Panthers, via their barrage of waiver claims, after being waived. The Panthers waived Isaac before their Week 1 game. Isaac initially signed with the Bucs as a 2023 UDFA and played in two games last season.

Hatten incurred a five-game suspension today. A Seahawks UDFA this year, Hatten did not make the team’s 53-man roster. At the same time, the NFL lifted the suspensions of the other three free agents, Jackson, Muhammad, and Thomas.

AUGUST 1: Dallas’ defensive end workout will produce an agreement with Al-Quadin Muhammad. The former Colts defensive end is joining the Cowboys after auditioning for the team today, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets.

Muhammad did not see any game action last season but completed a six-sack showing in the not-so-distant past. That came with the 2021 Colts. The Cowboys will see what the veteran can contribute following the news of Sam Williams‘ ACL tear.

While this marks a second Carl Lawson workout that did not lead to a deal over the past week, as the former Bengals and Jets sack artist also auditioned for the Panthers, it represents another opportunity for Muhammad, who was part of the Saints’ trajectory-changing 2017 draft class. Muhammad joined Marshon Lattimore, Ryan Ramczyk, Marcus Williams, Alvin Kamara, Trey Hendrickson and Alex Anzalone in that group — one that went 4-for-4 in playoff berths from 2017-20 — but was not part of those late-Drew Brees-era squads beyond his rookie year. The Saints waived Muhammad in 2018, leading to a long-term Colts partnership.

Mostly working as a rotational defender in Indianapolis, Muhammad did secure a starting role in 2021 — after the team did not re-sign Justin Houston. Playing under ex-Cowboys linebackers coach Matt Eberflus that year, Muhammad totaled six sacks, 13 QB hits and a forced fumble. This led to a Bears free agent signing (two years, $8MM), though Chicago cut bait after one season.

Should the Cowboys end up keeping Muhammad into the regular season, they would need to wait until Week 2 to deploy him. Muhammad’s return to the Colts in 2023 produced no playing time and a six-game PED suspension. That ban came down with only five games left last season, which will lead to the 29-year-old DE being sidelined for one game to start this campaign.

The Cowboys had big plans for Williams, as they let Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler follow Dan Quinn to Washington. The team did, however, use a second-round pick on Marshawn Kneeland. The rookie figures to see more playing time in the wake of Williams’ injury, though Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence remain the team’s edge-rushing cornerstones. Muhammad will attempt to mix in behind the top two, and his 2023 season on the Colts’ practice squad could also point to an emergency-stash-type role for the eighth-year vet.

Sam Williams suffered an ACL tear which will keep him sidelined for the 2024 campaign. Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence remain on track to handle a heavy workload, but Williams’ absence leaves the team short on valuable depth. In the wake of his injury, the Cowboys started evaluating the available options still in free agency.

Lawson faced high expectations upon signing with the Jets in 2021, but an Achilles tear delayed his debut New York campaign by one year. He managed seven sacks upon returning to health, but last year he logged only 101 defensive snaps and did not make a statistical impact. The 29-year-old has taken visits with the Dolphins and Panthers this offseason, and he will aim to turn his Dallas visit into an agreement.

Toney entered the league as a Commanders seventh-rounder, and he played primarily on special teams during his two seasons in Washington. A gambling suspension kept the 26-year-old out of the NFL last season, but he was reinstated in April. That was quickly followed by his Commanders release, leaving him free to sign with an interested team. This is Toney’s second known visit and his first since May.

Muhammad is a veteran of 84 games and 34 starts, but he did not see any regular season game action last season. He received a six-game PED suspension late in the 2023 campaign; since the Colts did not make the playoffs, that ban will include the first week of the coming season. Muhammad did not make a strong impact during his one-year Bears stint in 2022, but he served as a full-time Indianapolis starter the previous year and collected six sacks.

Hollins, 28, has spent time with five different teams in his career. His most productive campaign came in 2022 (3.5 sacks, four tackles for loss) while playing for the Packers and Rams. Hollins made at least one appearance with three teams in 2023, playing primarily on special teams. A third phase role would likely await him in Dallas.

The Cowboys entered Thursday with just over $12MM in cap space, enough flexibility to make a low-cost addition along the edge. Each of those four players will no doubt be available on team-friendly deals, and their performances today will impact Dallas’ decision at the position.

The suspension will be without pay for Muhammad, according to Mike Chappell of FOX59/CBS4 Sports, and, with only five games remaining in the regular season, his absence will either bleed over into the team’s first playoff game or the first game of the 2024 NFL season if the team misses the postseason and Muhammad finds himself under contract next year.

This is the second time a Colts defensive lineman has been subject to a six-game PED suspension after defensive tackle Grover Stewart served the same punishment back in October. Stewart claimed at the time that he had unknowingly taken the banned substance but took responsibility for the mistake, nonetheless.

Muhammad is a seven-year veteran dating back to his rookie days in New Orleans. He was waived after his first year with the Saints and signed the next day by the Colts. In Indianapolis, Muhammad first found his role in the NFL. Over his four years with the team, Muhammad started 25 games, including every contest of the 2021 season. During that campaign two years ago, Muhammad set career-highs in sacks (6.0), total tackles (48), and quarterback hits (13).

Following his full year as a starter, Muhammad signed a two-year, $8MM contract with the Bears. After starting the first nine games of his tenure in Chicago, Muhammad took a backseat to then-rookie fifth-round pick Dominique Robinson. Despite losing the starting job, Muhammad still played a large role in the rotation, often playing more defensive snaps than Robinson. After the season ended, the Bears made the cost-cutting move to release Muhammad and free up a bit more cap space. Since then, Muhammad has returned to Indianapolis, signing to the team’s practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster.

Though he’s never been forced to miss time as a pro, this is not Muhammad’s first suspension. As a sophomore at the University of Miami, Muhammad was given a season-long suspension after his participation in an altercation with his former roommate at the team’s Spring Game. After coming back for an impressive 2014 season that saw him record five sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss, Muhammad received his second suspension for his role in a luxury rental car scandal that violated the NCAA rules at that time in college football history. He was eventually dismissed from the program and, despite having only played in 17 games as a Hurricane, was selected by the Saints in the sixth-round of the NFL Draft.

As a member of the Colts’ practice squad this year, Muhammad has failed to see any in-season game action. Set to turn 29 years old in the offseason, Muhammad is not doing himself any favors in his efforts to return to the field. He’ll miss the first full regular season in his career, and unless he finds himself getting called up as a practice squad elevation in the Colts’ hypothetical second playoff game, he’ll go a calendar year and a half without appearing in an NFL game. Muhammad faces an uphill battle when it comes to continuing his NFL career post-suspension.

Houston Texans

Claimed:

• DB Alex Austin, G Nick Broeker

Waived:

Signed to practice squad:

• DT Khalil Davis, T Austin Deculus, CB Cobi Francis, DL Ali Gaye, S Brandon Hill, WR Johnny Johnson, TE Dalton Keene, OL Jimmy Morrissey, DE Adedayo Odeleye, DE Derek Rivers, WR Steven Sims, LB Garret Wallow, P Ty Zentner

Indianapolis Colts

Placed on IR:

• TE Jelani Woods (story)

Signed:

• WR Isaiah McKenzie (story)

Claimed:

Waived:

Signed to practice squad: 

• LB Liam Anderson, S Henry Black, S Marcel Dabo, RB Jake Funk, S Ronnie Harrison (story), RB Jason Huntley, WR D.J. Montgomery, DE Al-Quadin Muhammad (story), LB Donavan Mutin, WR Amari Rodgers, DT Caleb Sampson, T Dan Skipper, WR Mike Strachan, CB Isaac Taylor-Stuart, CB Kevin Toliver, WR Juwann Winfree

Jacksonville Jaguars

Claimed:

Waived:

Signed to practice squad:

• OL Chandler Brewer, OLB D.J. Coleman, OL Coy Cronk, DL De’Shaan Dixon, CB Erick Hallett, LB Dequan Jackson, TE Derek Parish, QB Nathan Rourke, OL Darryl Williams, WR Seth Williams, CB Tevaughn Campbell, RB Snoop Conner, WR Jacob Harris

Tennessee Titans

Claimed:

• CB Kindle Vildor

Waived:

Signed to practice squad:

• LB Chance Campbell, DB Shyheim Carter, DB Eric Garror, WR Tre’Shaun Harrison, WR Mason Kinsey, DB Armani Marsh, DE T.K. McLendon, TE Thomas Odukoya, T John Ojukwu, DE Sam Okuayinonu, DT Kyle Peko, T Andrew Rupcich, LB Thomas Rush, DT Michael Dwumfour, TE Kevin Rader, G Jordan Roos

Released:

• OL Corey Levin

Released from IR via injury settlement:

• CB Josh Thompson
• RB Jonathan Ward

Each a vested veteran who avoided a crowded waiver wire, Harrison and Muhammad could be back on Indianapolis’ active roster soon. These agreements may represent preludes for the safety and defensive end, respectively, to rejoin Gus Bradley’s defense.

Teams can roster up to six vested vets on their 16-man P-squads, but since the league expanded its taxi squads in 2020, they have served as frequent way stations for veterans. Harrison would make sense as a ramp-up player, having only signed with the Colts in mid-August. A former Colts starting defensive end, Muhammad rejoined the team during the offseason.

Muhammad, 28, registered six sacks as a Colts starter in 2021. The team used first- and second-round picks on defensive ends that year — Kwity Paye, Dayo Odeyingbo — and needed veteran support after not re-signing Justin Houston. Muhammad parlayed that performance into a Bears agreement, rejoining Matt Eberflus. Chicago cut bait on that contract this offseason, however. Muhammad made nine starts with the Bears last year but totaled just one sack in 16 games.

Using three-safety sets frequently, the Browns deployed Harrison often. The five-year veteran made 23 starts in Cleveland, coming to Ohio after a 22-start run in Jacksonville. The Browns added Rodney McLeod this offseason, bringing over a 2022 Colts starter. Indy has Julian Blackmon going into a contract year and has 2022 draftees Nick Cross and Rodney Thomas as options to succeed McLeod.

Muhammad began his career with the Saints, but his best years came in Indianapolis. Between 2018 and ’21, he played 64 games, logging 25 starts. The 28-year-old took on full-time starting duties in his final season with the team, and his increased playing time resulted in a career-high six sacks and 13 quarterback hits.

The former sixth-rounder parlayed that into a two-year Bears deal on the open market. The deal allowed him to follow former Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus to Chicago with the latter taking over as head coach. Things did not go according to plan for either party this past season, though.

Muhammad recorded only one sack with the Bears as a member of the team’s highly underwhelming edge rush contingent. It thus came as no surprise that he was released ahead of free agency, leaving him on the open market for the second straight offseason. A return to the Colts seemed to give him the opportunity to regain at least a depth role with his former team, but his ability to do that will now need to come via the practice squad if he is retained.

The Colts have former first-rounder Kwity Paye and free agent addition Samson Ebukam set to start on the edge this season, with the likes of Tyquan Lewis and Dayo Odeyingbo in place as key reserves. Muhammad could find himself amongst the latter contingent at some point in the season if he begins the campaign on the taxi squad and is later elevated to the active roster. For the time being, however, his future is uncertain.

JULY 21: Al-Quadin Muhammad is set to make a return to his most productive NFL home. The veteran defensive end agreed to a one-year deal with the Colts, as noted (on Twitter) by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Agents Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey confirmed the reunion.

Muhammad had been on the open market since February. He was released by the Bears after one season spent under head coach Matt Eberflus in Chicago. The pair had previously spent time together in Indianapolis when Eberflus served as defensive coordinator of the Colts. Muhammad’s final season there saw him record six sacks, leading to expectations he would carry over that production into the Windy City.

However, the 28-year-old registered only one sack with the Bears while playing a signficant role on the team’s underwhelming pass rush group. He, like many other veteran edge rushers, remained unsigned through the summer while evaluating opportunities ahead of training camp. A deal sending him back to Indianapolis could help him regain his previous form while maintaining the team’s pass rush effectiveness.

In a 2022 season in which hardly anything went according to plan, the Colts finished in the top 10 in sacks with 44. Free agent addition Samson Ebukam and 2021 first-rounder Kwity Paye will be leaned on heavily off the edge, but Muhammad should be expected to serve a notable rotational role in his return. His snap shares ranged between 42% and 73% during his four-year Colts stint (2018-2021).

Muhammad’s second tenure in Indianapolis will be his first under defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. The latter’s first year in place of Eberflus drew mixed reviews, but he is in place for a second season in charge of the unit. A rebound from his disappointing Bears stint could help Muhammad’s free agent prospects next year on the open market while giving the Colts’ defensive boost a front.

The 27-year-old was a draft pick of the Saints in 2017, but only spent one season there. His most productive campaigns came in Indianapolis, where he took on a larger role in the team’s defense over the course of four straight years. His improvement was reflected by five combined sacks in 2019 and 2020. That made him a logical candidate for a new deal at the expiration of his rookie contract.

Muhammad did ink a one-year pact to stay with the Colts in March 2021. That deal had a $3.4MM value, and allowed him to take on a full-time starting role for the first time in his career. He responded by setting new personal marks in sacks (six) and tackles (48), positioning him for another notable contract on the open market. With ex-Colts DC Matt Eberflus taking the head coaching position in Chicago, it came as little surprise that Muhammad followed him to the Windy City.

The former sixth-rounder signed a two-year, $8MM deal with the Bears last offseason. That came with significant expectations, but he fell short of them. Muhammad registered just one sack this year, totaling 19 QB pressures (compared to 37 the season before). That opened the door to the Bears cutting ties with him despite being on the books for 2023 at a cap hit of only $4.4MM.

This release will save Chicago just under $4MM in cap space. The Bears already had over $90MM in available funds heading into free agency, in no small part due to the cost-shedding moves made by general manager Ryan Poles. Those include the trade sending Khalil Mack to the Chargers last March, and the one which saw Robert Quinn dealt to the Eagles midseason. Now, another veteran on the edge will need replacing in the coming months as the Bears look to re-tool their pass rush.

• Donte Jackson, CB (Panthers): Three-year, $35.18MM. The contract, according to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network, has a guaranteed amount of $16.76MM consisting of an $11MM signing bonus and the first two years’ base salary of $1.04MM in 2022 and $4.72MM in 2023. On the third league day of the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Jackson would be due $4MM roster bonuses. The deal also includes a per game active bonus of $100,000 that can earn him up to $1.7MM per season.
• Al-Quadin Muhammad, DE (Bears): Two-year, $8MM. The contract has a guaranteed amount of $3.3MM consisting of a $1MM signing bonus, the first year’s base salary of $1.5MM, and the first year’s roster bonus of $800,000. Muhammad would be due an identical roster bonus on the third league day of 2023. He also has a per game active bonus of $35,294 for a potential season total of $600,000.
• Uchenna Nwosu, DE (Seahawks): Two-year, $19.06MM. The contract has a guaranteed amount of $10.54MM consisting of a signing bonus of $9.5MM and the first year’s base salary of $1.04 MM. The second year’s base salary jumps to $7.5MM. The deal includes a per game active bonus of $30,000 for a potential season total of $510,000.

The 26-year-old began his career with New Orleans, after they drafted him in 2017. He was only a Saint for one season, though, as he was claimed off waivers by the Colts at the onset of the 2018 campaign. He finished his rookie contract in Indianapolis, taking on a larger defensive (as opposed to special teams) role with each passing campaign. He posted five combined sacks between the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

Muhammad signed a one-year deal to stay with the Colts last offseason. The $3.4MM value reflected his consistent progress, but also the potential to earn a bigger payday with a productive season. The Miami product responded by starting all 17 games this year, setting new career-highs across the board.

He was on the field for just under three-quarters of the team’s defensive snaps. With that increased workload, Muhammad totalled 48 tackles, six sacks and one forced fumble. Not surprisingly, that performance led to this new contract, which, not unlike the one he played on last year, rewards his growth but doesn’t constitute a financial burden.

In Chicago, he will look to fill in some of the void left in the pass-rush department left by the trade of Khalil Mack. The Colts, meanwhile, will need to look elsewhere if they hope to find a new developmental edge rusher to work with.