The Colts have a clear need heading into the offseason: they’ve got to find help on the edge. With the likelihood that veterans like Samson Ebukam and Tyquan Lewis are headed elsewhere in free agency, Indianapolis needs a fresh injection of pass-rushing talent-and they might not have to look far to find it.
Enter Al-Quadin Muhammad.
Yes, that Al-Quadin Muhammad-the one who’s already had two stints in Indy and just put together the best season of his career in Detroit. At 30 years old, Muhammad is coming off a breakout 2025 campaign with the Lions, racking up 11 sacks, 20 quarterback hits, and nine tackles for loss.
All career highs. And here’s the kicker: those numbers would’ve placed him at or near the top of the Colts’ pass-rushing leaderboard this past season.
Now, it’s fair to wonder whether Muhammad can replicate that level of production. But when you factor in his projected market value-just $16.5 million over two years, per Spotrac-it’s a low-risk, high-upside move.
That’s $8.25 million per season for a player who just posted double-digit sacks. In today’s edge rusher market, that’s a bargain.
Colts fans know Muhammad well. He was a steady contributor in his first run with the team from 2018 to 2021, including a strong 2021 season where he notched six sacks and 13 QB hits as a full-time starter.
After a brief, rocky stint in Chicago in 2022, he returned to Indy in 2023, though that year was marred by a suspension and time spent on the practice squad. But he’s since rebuilt his reputation in Detroit and looked every bit like a player who still has gas in the tank.
What makes this potential reunion even more intriguing is how Muhammad’s skill set might mesh with new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s system. Anarumo has a track record of maximizing edge rushers-just look at what Trey Hendrickson did under his watch in Cincinnati. Hendrickson posted back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons in 2021 and 2022, thriving in Anarumo’s aggressive, pressure-heavy scheme.
If Muhammad were to land back in Indy, he wouldn’t have to be the guy. With rookie standout Laiatu Latu drawing plenty of attention, Muhammad could thrive as a complementary pass rusher-one who’s already proven he can win one-on-one matchups and finish plays.
The fit makes sense. The price is right.
And the familiarity is already there. If the Colts are serious about upgrading their pass rush without breaking the bank, bringing back Al-Quadin Muhammad might be the smartest move they can make.