Introduction
Al-Quadin Muhammad is an American professional football player known for his role as a defensive end (edge rusher) in the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). Since being drafted in 2017, Muhammad has experienced a journey marked by promise, setbacks, and a steady rise as a reliable rotational pass-rusher. As of 2025, fans and football analysts continue to watch his performance closely — especially given his re-signing with Detroit and contributions on the defensive front. This article dives into his contract, career trajectory, 2025 stats, personal background, and what is publicly known about his private life, including religion and marital status.
Early Life and College Career
Al-Quadin Muhammad was born on March 28, 1995, in Irvington, New Jersey. He started his high-school football journey at Paterson Catholic High School, but after it closed following his freshman year, he transferred to Don Bosco Preparatory High School in Ramsey, New Jersey.
At Don Bosco Prep, a well-known football program, Muhammad excelled as a defensive end. He earned recognition as a top recruit, rated a four-star defensive end and considered one of the top prospects in New Jersey for his class.
College at University of Miami
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In 2013 (freshman year), he appeared in five games, recorded six tackles (five solo), with 2.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks.
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He missed the 2014 season due to a suspension following an off-campus altercation.
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In 2015, as a redshirt-sophomore, he played in 12 games (5 starts), registering 54 tackles (34 solo), 9.0 tackles for loss, and 5.0 sacks, along with a forced fumble and a pass deflection.
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He didn’t play in 2016 after being dismissed from the program due to discipline issues tied to a scandal involving luxury rental cars, which violated NCAA rules.
In total, over his active college seasons (2013 and 2015), he accumulated roughly 60 tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss, and 7.0 sacks.
Despite the rocky college exit, Muhammad’s raw physical talent and pass-rush potential caught the attention of NFL scouts — leading to his entry into the 2017 NFL Draft.
Professional Career: From Draft Pick to Veteran
NFL Draft & Early Years
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In the 2017 NFL Draft, Muhammad was selected in the 6th round, 196th overall, by the New Orleans Saints.
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As a rookie, he appeared in four games, but did not record significant statistics, and was waived by the Saints by the end of the 2018 preseason.
Indianapolis Colts (First Stint)
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On September 2, 2018, Muhammad was claimed off waivers by the Colts.
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His role gradually increased from rotational edge rusher to starter by 2021. Particularly, in 2021 he appeared in 17 games (all starts), logging 48 tackles and 6 sacks — a career-high in sacks at that point.
Chicago Bears & Return Attempts
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In March 2022, he signed a two-year contract with the Bears.
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He played 16 games (9 starts) for Chicago during the 2022 season, recording 29 tackles and 1 sack.
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In 2023, he returned to the Colts on a one-year deal, but was released before the regular season; he briefly joined the practice squad.
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After a short stint with the Dallas Cowboys in 2024 — which ended without regular-season play — Muhammad signed with the Detroit Lions in October 2024.
Detroit Lions and 2024–2025
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Muhammad joined Lions’ practice squad first in October 2024.
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On November 9, 2024, he was promoted to the active roster. In 9 games (2 starts), he logged 11 tackles (8 solo), 3 sacks, 4 tackles for loss, and 5 quarterback hits.
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On March 19, 2025, the Lions re-signed him to a one-year contract.
According to salary data, his 2025 contract with Detroit includes a base salary of approximately US$1,422,500, including a signing bonus of US$167,500 and US$917,500 guaranteed.
2025 Stats & Performance
As of the 2025 season (through latest available games), Muhammad is contributing meaningfully in a rotational/edge-rusher role for the Detroit Lions:
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He has logged 6 sacks, marking one of his better single-season sack tallies.
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His playing time has been significant enough to earn him trust, especially given injuries to other defensive linemen and the need for depth — he remains a viable rotational rusher with pass-rush upside.
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Analysts note that at 6’3″, 250 lbs, he is not the largest defensive end in the league, but his success is attributed to his motor, aggressiveness off the edge, and ability to set the edge against the run while pressuring the quarterback.
Overall, his 2025 campaign signifies a positive bounce-back and a chance to extend his NFL career, even if not as a full-time starter — but more as a key rotational piece.
Contract Details & 2025 Outlook
As mentioned earlier, Muhammad’s current deal with the Detroit Lions is a one-year contract for 2025, with a base salary of around US$1.422 million, including signing bonus and guarantees.
From the team’s perspective, re-signing him offers familiarity and relatively low cost — considering he already understands the defensive scheme, and can provide solid rotational depth without consuming a high-salary roster spot.
However, some of the drawbacks are:
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He will be 30 years old in March 2025 — for a defensive end/edge rusher, that’s often approaching the age where athleticism begins to decline.
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His path forward may depend on whether he can consistently deliver pressure and sacks, or whether the team opts to invest in younger edge talent with more upside.
If Muhammad maintains good health and performance, he could remain a valuable rotational option. But long-term starter status beyond 2025 might be uncertain — making 2025 a potentially pivotal season in his career.
Personal Life — Religion, Wife & Privacy
When it comes to personal details like religion or marital status, the publicly available records for Al-Quadin Muhammad are limited:
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There is no credible public source that confirms whether Muhammad is Muslim or practices any particular religion. A thorough review of major profiles (NFL.com, ESPN, Pro-Football-Reference) shows no mention of his faith or religious background.
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Similarly, there is no publicly available, verified information regarding a wife, spouse, or marital status. Major biographical databases do not list a partner or spouse.
Because of the lack of reliable data, any claims about his religion or marital status would be speculative. As responsible researchers and writers, it’s important not to assert unverifiable personal details.
Therefore, at this time: his religion is unknown (or at least not publicly disclosed), and there is no public confirmation of a wife or spouse.
Career Totals (Through 2025)
According to compiled career statistics:
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Games played: ~ 100+ with ~ 36 starts.
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Combined tackles: ~ 184 (with ~ 121 solo).
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Sacks: ~ 21 over his career.
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Forced fumbles: 4; Fumble recoveries: 1.
These totals reflect a career of perseverance and adaptability — from draft pick to rotational defensive end contributing across multiple teams.
Challenges & Comebacks
Muhammad’s journey hasn’t been without obstacles:
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He was dismissed from his college program at Miami after disciplinary issues in 2016.
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His early pro career involved being waived and bouncing between teams.
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Age and competition for roster spots — especially with younger, emerging pass rushers — pose a threat to long-term stability.
Yet, despite these hurdles, his 2024 mid-season signing with the Lions and subsequent 2025 re-signing demonstrate his resilience and the value of his experience.
Why Al-Quadin Muhammad Matters in 2025
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The Lions — like many NFL defenses — value depth, especially on the defensive line. Muhammad brings experience, versatility (edge/rotational rush), and a relatively modest salary.
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For fantasy football or football analysts, his 2025 performance (6 sacks, rotational usage) makes him a sleeper asset — especially in deeper defensive-player leagues.
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His career arc illustrates how late-round picks and journeymen can still carve out meaningful NFL careers via persistence, adaptability, and seizing opportunities.
FAQs
Q: Is Al-Quadin Muhammad a Muslim?
A: There is no publicly verified information about Muhammad’s religion. Major official sources do not list any religious affiliation, so it remains unknown.
Q: Is he married? Who is his wife?
A: There is no credible public record confirming whether Muhammad is married or has a wife. Official biographies and reputable databases do not mention a spouse.
Q: What is his current contract with the Detroit Lions (2025)?
A: His 2025 contract with Detroit is a one-year deal worth approximately US$1,422,500, including a signing bonus of around US$167,500.
Q: What are his career statistics so far?
A: Through the 2025 season, Muhammad has appeared in over 100 NFL games, with roughly 184 tackles (121 solo), 21 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery.
Q: What is his role with the Lions in 2025? Starter or rotational player?
A: He is currently a rotational edge-rusher/defensive-end, providing depth and pass-rush potential as part of Detroit’s defensive line rotation. His usage reflects trust from coaching staff but not full-time starter status.
Conclusion
Al-Quadin Muhammad’s football career is a testament to resilience, adaptation, and seizing opportunities. From a standout high-school prospect to overcoming college setbacks and the uncertainty of being a late-round NFL pick — he has carved out a role for himself across multiple teams. As of 2025, with the Detroit Lions, he remains a valuable rotational pass-rusher, contributing to team depth at an affordable contract.
While public information gives us clear insight into his on-field performance and professional journey, his personal life — including religion or marital status — remains private. For now, any speculation about those aspects would be unfounded.
As Muhammad continues to play, 2025 may well be a defining season: either paving the way for further contributions or signaling a transition phase. Either way — his career offers an interesting case study of how talent, determination, and flexibility can sustain an NFL career beyond early challenges.
