New Signing: Colts Bring Back Edge Rusher

The Indianapolis Colts are reportedly bringing back a familiar face to their defensive line. On Friday, ESPN reported that the Colts are signing defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad to a one-year deal.

Colts reached agreement today on a one-year deal with their former starting defensive end Al Quadin Muhammad. His agents Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey confirmed the deal.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 21, 2023

Muhammad was previously with the Colts between 2018-21 and contributed heavily, starting 25-of-64 games and compiling 127 tackles (22 for loss), 11.0 sacks, 30 quarterback hits, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovered, and 1 pass breakup.

When he hit free agency last offseason, Muhammad followed Matt Eberflus, who whad been the Colts' defensive coordinator since 2018 but took a new job as the Chicago Bears head coach. Muhammad started 9-of-16 games in his first season with the Bears, compiling 29 tackles (1 for loss), 1.0 sack, 1 QB hit, and 1 forced fumble.

When the Colts made a switch in defense in 2018 under then-new coordinator Eberflus, they needed to be stout up front for it all to work, and young guys needed to grow up in a hurry. One young player who unexpectedly stood out and made himself a fixture in the lineup for the next few years was Muhammad.

Muhammad was drafted by the New Orleans Saints out of Miami in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft with the 196th overall pick, and he would appear in four games as a rookie, registering one tackle.

The following summer, Muhammad didn't make the cut for the Saints following training camp and the preseason but would catch on the day after his departure with the Colts.

From there, he became a favorite of Eberflus and earned a role as one of the first players off the bench before eventually becoming a starter. Muhammad was initially a quality run defender while steadily improving his abilities as a pass rusher over the next few seasons.

Now reunited with the Colts under current coordinator Gus Bradley, Muhammad will mesh into a defensive end room featuring the likes of Kwity Paye, Samson Ebukam, Dayo Odeyingbo, Tyquan Lewis, and Genard Avery.

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