Al-Quadin Muhammad might be the Detroit Lions' best bet in free agency for their glaring hole next to Aidan Hutchinson at pass rusher.
While that sentiment might've been an outlandish one to share at the start of the 2025 season, Muhammad's 11 sacks were no fluke. However, he's set to enter a market where he stands to collect $7.9 million annually, which could leave him open to sign almost anywhere given that that's a huge bargain.
Another option for Detroit is Joey Bosa, the Buffalo Bills' latest attempt at adding pass rushing to their defense. He has struggled to stay healthy historically, but did finish up with a league-high five forced fumbles in 15 games played in 2025.
Bosa, per Spotrac, could be due a deal in the range of 2 years, $27.4 million, which is a ton more than what the Lions would likely need to keep Muhammad in the fold.
ESPN seems to think this is worth it for the Lions, though, with Matt Bowen writing that Bosa's best fit in free agency would be with Detroit.
"The Lions had 16 sacks on third down last season (tied for 15th in the league), so Detroit could add Bosa to elevate its sub-package pass rush. Bosa, who had five sacks with the Bills in 2025, fits well opposite Aidan Hutchinson with his speed-to-power production and the effort level to clean up late in plays."
ESPN tags expensive Al-Quadin Muhammad replacement as best fit for Lions
Bosa is going to be 31 at the beginning of the next NFL season, which sounds a bit fake considering how long it feels like he's been in the league and with the Los Angeles Chargers prior to landing in Buffalo.
While his sack numbers might not be impressive, it is fair to say that he is a seamless fit next to Hutchinson as a pressure generating edge rusher who takes attention off of the Lions' homegrown star.
However, it's hard to see a world where Detroit would sneer at paying Muhammad - who is already familiar with the team, Kelvin Sheppard, and Hutchinson - but throw a larger bag at someone as injury prone as Bosa.
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It might be the move for Detroit to make, though, since Muhammad has full control of his destiny in the offseason, and since the price tag on some other premier edge rushing talent is a lot to take in. Maxx Crosby, for example, could warrant a huge pick haul to the Las Vegas Raiders, and that effectively kills Detroit's ability to rebuild other areas in need of help through this year's draft.
The Lions have the luxury of several franchise altering players on both sides of the ball locked in for next season and beyond, in addition to having all of their own first rounders. In a draft chock-full of offensive line and edge rushing talent, Detroit could save their own future by snagging someone like Bosa, or Bradley Chubb, in free agency as opposed to shipping off a trove for Crosby.