Al-Quadin Muhammad - Pro Football Rumors

Colts To Release DE Al-Quadin Muhammad

August 29th, 2023 at 11:38am CST by Adam La Rose

Al-Quadin Muhammad‘s reunion with the Colts has proven to be rather brief. The veteran defensive end has been released, as noted by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

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.

Colts Sign DE Al-Quadin Muhammad

July 27th, 2023 at 8:01am CST by Adam La Rose

JULY 27: The Colts will bring Muhammad back on a league-minimum deal, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson (on Twitter). For a player with six years of service time, that number checks in at $1.1MM. Indianapolis will guarantee the veteran edge defender $500K.

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.

Bears To Release DE Al-Quadin Muhammad

February 17th, 2023 at 7:39pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Bears enter the 2023 offseason with by far the most spending power in the league, but they have made a move which frees up even more cap space. Chicago is releasing edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter).

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.

Contract Details: Jackson, Muhammad, Nwosu

March 20th, 2022 at 10:56pm CST by Ely Allen

Rounding up a few contract details from recent deals:

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.

Bears To Sign DE Al-Quadin Muhammad

March 18th, 2022 at 5:54pm CST by Adam La Rose

One of the emerging pieces of the Colts’ 2021 defense has found a new home. Al-Quadin Muhammad is set to sign with the Bears (Twitter link via ESPN’s Adam Schefter). The insider adds that the deal is worth $10MM over two years.

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.

Colts To Re-Sign DL Al-Quadin Muhammad

March 31st, 2021 at 5:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Colts are bringing back one of their rotational defensive linemen. They agreed to terms with Al-Quadin Muhammad on a one-year deal, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

Muhammad’s second NFL contract will be worth $3.4MM, according to agent Drew Rosenhaus. He has played with the Colts for the past three seasons, after initially joining the team as a waiver claim in September 2018.

Part of the Saints’ standout 2017 draft haul, Muhammad played one season with New Orleans but has made his mark in Indianapolis. He played a career-high 56% of the Colts’ defensive snaps last season and has recorded five sacks over the past two years.

This move comes after Denico Autry‘s free agency defection to Tennessee. The Colts still have questions on their defensive front, with top edge rusher Justin Houston still unsigned and the team short on proven sack artists, Muhammad has been a key rotational presence throughout defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus‘ tenure.

Colts Promote DL Al-Quadin Muhammad

October 13th, 2018 at 9:27am CST by Ben Levine

Al-Quadin Muhammad is back in the NFL. Joel A. Erickson of the Indy Star reports (via Twitter) that the Colts have promoted the defensive lineman from the practice squad. Linebacker Skai Moore has been waived to open a roster spot.

Muhammad, a 2017 sixth-round pick, was waived by the Saints in September following an underwhelming rookie campaign. The Miami product quickly caught on with the Colts, where he’s compiled eight tackles in four games this season. He was waived by the organization last week, but he subsequently signed with Indy’s practice squad.

The Colts’ decision to promote the 23-year-old could revolve around the health of defensive end Margus Hunt, who is dealing with a knee injury. Muhammad would likely slide behind backups Kemoko Turay and Jihad Ward on the depth chart, although he could also serve as a backup defensive tackle.

Moore, 23, joined the Colts as an undrafted free agent out of South Carolina. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound linebacker has collected two tackles in four games (one start) this season. The move leaves the Colts with only three outside linebackers in Najee Goode, Darius Leonard, and Matthew Adams.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/10/18

October 10th, 2018 at 4:30pm CST by Zachary Links

We’ll keep track of today’s practice squad moves here:

Arizona Cardinals

Signed: CB Deatrick Nichols

Carolina Panthers

Signed: LB Brandon Chubb
Released: QB Connor Cook

Cincinnati Bengals

Signed: DB Demetrious Cox

Cleveland Browns

Signed: DB Jeremiah McKinnon

Dallas Cowboys

Signed: RB Darius Jackson

Denver Broncos

Signed: RB Jeremy McNichols

Houston Texans

Signed: TE Jerell Adams

Indianapolis Colts

Signed: S Tray Matthews, DE Al-Quadin Muhammad

Jacksonville Jaguars

Signed: FB Dimitri Flowers

Kansas City Chiefs

Signed: S Leon McQuay, TE David Wells

Los Angeles Chargers

Signed: CB Jeff Richards, LB Tre’von Johnson
Released: CB Channing Stribling, T Jamar McGloster

Miami Dolphins

Signed: WR Travis Rudolph

Tennessee Titans

Signed: OL Jordan Morgan, WR Roger Lewis, RB Dalyn Dawkins

Colts Activate RB Robert Turbin

October 4th, 2018 at 3:09pm CST by Zachary Links

The Colts have activated running back Robert Turbin in advance of Thursday night’s game against the Patriots, the team announced. In related moves, linebacker Skai Moore and cornerback Lenzy Pipkins were promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster and defensive ends Tarell Basham and Al-Quadin Muhammad were waived.

Turbin, initially, was in line for a significant role in the Colts’ backfield this year. Those plans were derailed this summer when he was hit with a four-game suspension for performance enhancing substances.

The veteran returns to a backfield that is headlined by Marlon Mack and Nyheim Hines, but he offers fresh legs on a short week for the Colts. It would not be surprising to see Turbin involved in the Colts rushing attack in his first game back.

For his career, Turbin has 1,344 yards and nine scores off of 351 carries. He also has 85 catches for 685 yards and three scores. Those totals were put on hold in Week 6 of last season when he suffered a season-ending elbow injury, but Bobby Turbo will now have an opportunity to reassert himself.

Basham’s departure comes fairly early for a third-round pick. Chosen on Day 2 of the 2017 draft, Basham has played in just one of Indianapolis’ four games this season. He suited up for 15 in 2017 but didn’t start any of those games. He recorded two sacks and forced a fumble as a rookie but only made seven tackles.

The Colts now have 2018 second-rounder Kemoko Turay as their only backup defensive end. Though, Jihad Ward was drafted to play end as a Raider. Still, it should be expected the Colts will make a move to add depth at this spot after waiving two of their backups.

Sunday NFL Transactions: AFC South

September 2nd, 2018 at 4:07pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Listed below are the Sunday roster moves for the four AFC South teams. Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline yesterday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters, claiming players off waivers or signing guys who clear waivers. Those transactions for the Texans, Colts, Jaguars, and Titans are noted below.

Additionally, as of 12:00pm CT today, teams can begin constructing their 10-man practice squads. You can check out our glossary entry on practice squads to brush up on those changes, as well as all the other guidelines that govern the 10-man units, whose players practice with the team but aren’t eligible to suit up on Sundays.

Here are Sunday’s AFC South transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day: