Veteran Lions Player Explains Massive Contract Demand After Explosive Season, Leaving Detroit Front Office with a Tough Choice

Detroit, Michigan – January 27, 2026 – Al-Quadin Muhammad, the standout EDGE rusher for the Detroit Lions, has put the team’s front office in a tough spot after an explosive 2025 season. After joining the Lions on a one-year, veteran minimum deal (~$1.2M), Muhammad’s breakout year has led him to demand a substantial contract extension, potentially shaking up the Lions' salary cap plans for the future.

In 2025, Muhammad played in all 17 games, recording a career-high 11 sacks, which ranked in the top 10 across the NFL. With 25 tackles (15 solo), 9 tackles for loss, and 20 quarterback hits, Muhammad quickly proved his worth. Despite playing only 40% of defensive snaps, he still posted 59 pressures (according to Next Gen Stats), playing a key role in the Lions’ top-10 sack ranking, even when star rusher Aidan Hutchinson was sidelined with a minor injury mid-season.

Muhammad’s strong performance has raised his value significantly, and sources indicate that his camp is seeking a 3-year contract worth $30-40 million, with an average annual salary (APY) between $10-13 million. For a player who joined Detroit as a rotational piece, his performance has far exceeded expectations, leading to his hefty contract demands.

“I’ve put in the work and I believe I’ve earned it,” Muhammad said in a recent interview. “This past season has been a testament to what I can bring to the table. I know my worth, and I’m looking for a deal that reflects that.” Muhammad’s confidence in his performance has fueled his desire for a contract that mirrors his impact on the field.

For the Lions’ front office, the timing couldn’t be tougher. With the salary cap already tight, the team faces difficult decisions on how to allocate funds for future contracts. The Lions are in the midst of a rebuild, and while they’ve developed a promising young defensive core, locking in Muhammad for the long term could force sacrifices elsewhere.

The dilemma is clear: while Muhammad’s breakout season makes him deserving of a lucrative deal, the Lions must carefully consider their cap flexibility moving forward. With other key players like Aidan Hutchinson and young talent on the roster, the front office has to weigh the value of locking in Muhammad at a high price versus potentially letting him test the free-agent market.

“Everyone knows how important he was to our defense this year,” said one source close to the team. “But with limited cap space, it’s going to be a challenge to give him what he wants without hurting the overall roster.”

As the offseason approaches, Muhammad’s future remains uncertain, and the Lions’ front office is faced with a tough decision: offer the deal he’s asking for or risk losing a key piece of their defense. The next few months will determine if the Lions can keep Muhammad or if the defensive standout will move on to another team willing to meet his contract demands.