The Bucs needed to improve their pass rush for 2026. Al-Quadin Muhammad helps with that goal. But it’s not in the way that most people would think. The expectation was that the Bucs would try and find an impact starter – and they did try – the net result was a 31-year-old journeyman. And while the search continues for an upgrade on the starter opposite Yaya Diaby, a role that has produced just 57 pressures and 4.5 sacks over the past two years, where the Bucs have improved is their second wave of pass rushers.
Bucs Backup Outside Linebackers Have Struggled To Consistently Produce
Since 2023, the Bucs’ depth edge rushers have averaged a total of 52 pressures and eight sacks per year since 2023, per Pro Football Focus. With Todd Bowles rotating his pass rushers more than most defensive coordinators the production coming from this part of the roster has to be better.
Last year’s #3 outside linebacker, Anthony Nelson is a solid player all-around, but he defends the run better than he rushes the passer. And while he has had some high-leverage moments, he isn’t a consistent threat as a pass rusher to be relied upon as part of a wave of pressure that most defenses are trying to get to these days.
Bucs OLB Anthony Nelson – Photo by: USA Today
Up until this point, the Bucs haven’t placed an emphasis on finding a “designated pass rusher” whose primary job is to come in on long and late downs to just get after the quarterback. With the signing of Muhammad that may be changing.
Al-Quadin Muhammad As A Pass Rusher
Muhammad is that designated pass rusher. Detroit used him that way last year, rushing him on 78% of his snaps, and were rewarded for it with the best year of his career. Pro Football Focus had him with a 15.4% pass rush win rate, which ranked tied for 24th in the NFL (minimum 127 pass rushes). And there’s this.
Al-Quadin Muhammad generated the 5th-highest pressure rate in the NFL in 2025 (min. 250 pass rushes).
Muhammad’s 3.4% sack rate was 7th highest among that same group.@Buccaneers | #WeAreTheKrewe https://t.co/Q8krCShYTW pic.twitter.com/by8zvKbLNQ
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 12, 2026
He doesn’t have an impressive get off. Last year his average get-off was measured at 0.91 second. That’s the second-fastest of his career as he didn’t have to read his run-keys nearly as much as in the past and could better focus on snap-timing. But while his first step is far from impressive, it’s everything he does after that step that makes him a strong addition to an edge room in flux.
Muhammad builds speed up and around the arc and corners well. He wins with late speed and by finding angles that offensive tackles struggle to counter. He pairs that cornering ability with active hands. Those hands are both strong and quick and work independently of his lower half. They create a blur that occupies offensive linemen’s focus while he stretches around the bend. His aim is to get his opponent to throw his punch too early so he can counter with a long arm to the outside shoulder that will corrupt the integrity of their pass set as he gets the corner.
Bucs OLB Al-Quadin Muhammad and ILB Alex Anzalone – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Jeffrey Becker
Muhammad doesn’t show power in his rushes very often. Occasionally, he will use a hump move when he notices a tackle has lost his balance protecting the edge, but for the most part he wins on the outside with a rip move, sometimes preceded by an arm-over to get to it.
High Effort And Cleanups
29% of Muhammad’s pressures last year were considered quick (under 2.5 seconds). That’s a bit below average and tracks with his get-off. But where he makes up for it is with all-out effort and a refusal to give up throughout the rep. He is an agent of chaos who wants to blow up everything in his way. This leads him to plenty of late pressures and clean-up sacks. The Bucs struggled to finish pressures last year and this is an area I expect Muhammad to boost in 2026. But the real interesting part of the calculus is how many chances he will get for those types of plays when the Bucs regularly face quick passing games.
Bucs OLB Al-Quadin Muhammad – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Junfu Han
Sub-Package Interior Rusher
Last year the Lions kicked Muhammad inside 39 times. Those were some of his best reps as his slower get-off was less of an issue and his buildup of speed and cornering played better against slower interior offensive linemen.
Lions playing Odd Mirror, but look at Al-Quadin Muhammad and Aidan Hutchinson instant wins over the right side of the line pic.twitter.com/XwtOT12K4F
— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) November 3, 2025
Stunts, Twists And Games
While Muhammad’s bend is impressive when he can elongate his body and get parallel to the ground, his hips are stiffer when he has to work more upright. That hurts him as a looper running games, something Bucs head coach Todd Bowles enjoys doing. His stiffness shows up and he can easily get knocked off his path by a glancing blow from an opponent. Still, when he gets a head of steam in those situations, look out.
Ultimately, AQM provides a higher ceiling on the second line of the Bucs outside linebacker room. He’s not a starter and shouldn’t be seen as one. But he’s an excellent sub rusher who improves the ability for the team to get pressure and sacks when they aren’t at their full strength.