This season, the Detroit Lions were tied for fourth in the league in sacks with 49, and they were one of just three teams with two double-digit sack guys (Aidan Hutchinson-14.5, and Al-Quadin Muhammad-11). But Muhammad is a free agent and, as any player in his situation should, he seems intent on seeing what might be out there on the open market.
"I will go where I'm being valued at," Muhammad said as the Lions departed for the offseason, via Richard Silva of the Detroit News. "I work my tail off. I took a discount, in my opinion, this season. So, absolutely, (I'll) definitely go where I'm valued at, but want to be here. So, if they value me here, I'll be here. Hopefully that's the way it turns out."
General manager Brad Holmes, for better or worse, has promised the same approach to filling the edge rusher spot opposite Hutchinson this offseason. Not that would've said if he was changing his previous approach, but saying the approach wouldn't change landed notably. And anyone who dares question that approach to adding a edge rusher will feel a bit of Holmes' wrath.
Lions writer offers trade target Brad Holmes might actually consider
In recent video, Mike Payton of AtoZ Sports offered a potential trade target for the Lions to fill their edge rusher void.
"Free agency is going to be coming up soon and the Lions are gonna be looking for an edge rusher, as we all expect", Payton said. "And the guy they should be looking for is not even gonna be a free agent."
"They should be looking to make a trade, and that trade should be for Kayvon Thibodeaux from the New York Giants."
Payton outlined the idea of the Lions signing a free agent edge rusher, but those options are naturally older players. Thibodeaux, on the other hand, is 25 years old and he won't turn 26 until December. He is also entering the final year of his contract, set to make $14.75 million under his fifth-year option, which allows for taking a little time to see if he can be a long-term fit.
Where the Giants stand on signing Thibodeaux to a contract extension is hard to tab. But they have the kind of edge rusher depth that could push the idea to the back burner, and in turn push the No. 5 overall pick in the 2022 draft toward the trade block this offseason.
READ MORE: Lions writer proposes a reunion that could buy Sam LaPorta more recovery time
The Lions are in the market for a pass rusher this offseason, and the best move might be a blockbuster deal for Kayvon Thibodeaux 👀@AtoZ_Payton explains pic.twitter.com/8FYzZ9Rq3a
— A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) January 16, 2026
Since tallying a career-high 11.5 sacks for the Giants in 2023, Thibodeaux hast just eight sacks over the last two seasons amid missing time in each campaign. So he definitely falls under the umbrella of a distressed asset, albeit with 70 quarterback pressures over the last two seasons and an 80.7 run defense from Pro Football Focus this season (seventh-best among edge rushers).
Payton initially proposed the Lions giving up a third-round pick, which they don't have in this year's draft right now, for Thibodeaux. He then kind of settled on something like a fourth-round pick and a sixth-round pick to possibly get it done.
In terms of an edge rusher addition, trading for a former first-round pick who's coming off a season (or two) where he missed time seems to be right in Holmes' wheelhouse. And no, it would not be fair to call Thibodeaux Marcus Davenport, 2.0 if a deal does get done.