The Detroit Lions head into the offseason with one of the more enviable problems in football: a strong pass rush that still has room to grow. Tied for fourth in the NFL with 49 sacks this season, Detroit was one of just three teams to feature two players with double-digit sack totals-Aidan Hutchinson leading the way with 14.5, and Al-Quadin Muhammad right behind him with 11.
That’s the kind of production that sets a defensive tone. But here’s the rub: Muhammad is heading into free agency, and it sounds like he’s ready to test the waters.
“I will go where I'm being valued at,” Muhammad said as the team wrapped up its season. “I work my tail off.
I took a discount, in my opinion, this season. So absolutely, I’ll go where I’m valued-but I want to be here.
So if they value me here, I’ll be here.”
That’s a clear message: Muhammad wants to return, but only if the Lions put the right number on the table. And given the season he just had, it’s hard to argue with his stance.
General manager Brad Holmes has made it clear that his approach to finding the right complement to Hutchinson isn’t changing. Holmes has been consistent in how he builds this roster-methodical, value-conscious, and unafraid to bet on upside.
That means if you’re expecting a splashy, big-money move in free agency, you might want to temper those expectations. Holmes isn’t one to chase names.
He’s looking for fits.
But that doesn’t mean he’s standing pat.
In a recent segment, Mike Payton of A to Z Sports floated a name that could make a lot of sense for Detroit: Kayvon Thibodeaux. Yes, that Kayvon Thibodeaux-the former No. 5 overall pick from the 2022 draft, currently with the New York Giants.
Now, Thibodeaux isn’t a free agent. This would have to be a trade.
But that’s exactly why the idea is intriguing. Thibodeaux is only 25 and still on his rookie deal, with one year left under his fifth-year option at $14.75 million.
That gives any acquiring team a full season to evaluate him before deciding on a long-term commitment. And with the Giants facing some roster decisions of their own-particularly along the defensive front-there’s a window here.
New York has enough depth at edge rusher to potentially entertain the idea of moving Thibodeaux if the right offer comes along.
From a Lions perspective, this is the kind of move that fits Holmes’ M.O. A former top pick with upside, still young, and potentially available at a discount due to recent injuries and inconsistent production? That’s right in his wheelhouse.
Let’s talk about the production. Thibodeaux had a breakout year in 2023 with 11.5 sacks, but over the past two seasons, he’s managed just eight sacks total while missing time in both campaigns.
On paper, that might raise some red flags. But dig a little deeper, and there’s still a lot to like.
He’s logged 70 quarterback pressures over the last two seasons, and his 80.7 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus this year ranked seventh among edge rushers. That’s not just solid-it’s impactful.
So what would it take to get him? Payton tossed out the idea of a third-round pick, though the Lions don’t currently hold one in this year’s draft.
He then floated a fourth-rounder and a sixth-rounder as a more realistic package. For a player with Thibodeaux’s ceiling, that’s a gamble worth considering.
And no, this wouldn’t be a repeat of the Marcus Davenport experiment. Thibodeaux is younger, with a more consistent track record when healthy, and still has the kind of upside that made him a top-five pick just a few years ago.
The Lions aren’t in desperation mode. They’ve built a defense that can get after the quarterback and hold its own in the trenches. But if Holmes wants to take the next step-if he wants to truly maximize the window this team has opened-adding a high-upside pass rusher like Thibodeaux could be the kind of calculated swing that pays off big.
One thing’s for sure: Hutchinson needs a running mate. Whether that’s Muhammad returning on a new deal or a bold trade for someone like Thibodeaux, the Lions have options. And with Holmes steering the ship, don’t be surprised if the next move is one that turns heads.