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The Detroit Lions have made several attempts to add a competent edge rusher to line up opposite star Aidan Hutchinson, and saw a breakthrough with the performance of Al-Quadin Muhammad last season.
But with Muhammad gone in free agency, the Lions may need to go back to the drawing board to find a new edge rusher. One analyst believes they could find it in veteran Joey Bosa, who is looking for a new team after one season with the Buffalo Bills.
Lions a Strong Fit for Joey Bosa
Nick Shook of NFL.com broke down the best fits for some notable free agents, predicting the Lions will sign Bosa to give Hutchinson some help off the edge.
“The Lions could use multiple additions at edge opposite Aidan Hutchinson and should take such an approach as long as it’s affordable,” Shook wrote. “That’s a big qualifier when speaking of Bosa, a former first-rounder who made $13.2 million in 2025 and contributed respectably before his performance tailed off significantly down the stretch, potentially decreasing his earning power in 2026.”
Shook called Bosa a “mercenary,” noting that the veteran is looking to join a contender and hoping to put aside concerns about the multiple injuries he’s suffered in recent years.
“At 30 years old, Bosa is firmly in veteran mercenary territory,” Shook wrote. “Despite proving his injury history wasn’t a defining trait in the last two seasons, it’s a concern that will probably always follow him, but if he’s willing to take slightly less than what his representation believes he’s worth, he could find an excellent opportunity with the Lions.”
Shook added that Bosa could have a chance to thrive in Detroit, where Hutchinson would get most of the attention from offensive lines. Bosa had a shaky season in Buffalo, generating plenty of pressure on opposing quarterbacks and leading the league in forced fumbles, but struggling with mistakes and shaky run defense.
“Bosa wouldn’t see much extra attention because of Hutchinson’s presence on the other side of the defensive front, and with Detroit adding productive veteran D.J. Wonnum on Tuesday, it might not be too taxing on the former No. 3 overall pick, either,” Shook wrote.
Lions Lost Steady Pass Rusher
The Lions had a chance to bring back Muhammad, who had 10.5 sacks last season and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a one-year deal worth up to $6 million.
The veteran said he wasn’t sure why the Lions didn’t try to bring him back, but he’s looking ahead and not backward.
“I don’t really know (with) Detroit (or) how they thought about it or exactly what went into it, and I don’t really care,” Muhammad said. “I’m in Tampa, and I’m happy to be in Tampa. And if I’m not mistaken, they’re on a schedule this year, so I’m excited about that.”
Muhammad did stress that he has no ill will toward the Lions, however.
“And I do love Detroit, and it was amazing,” he said. “It was amazing. It’s a great organization, and I appreciate them for giving me the opportunity to go out there and do some great things, and I look forward to also playing against them.”
Nathan Dougherty is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins. Previously he wrote for the Rochester Business Journal and served as the assistant editor of athletic trade magazines Coaching Management, Athletic Management and Training & Conditioning. He is based out of Rochester, New York, and loves everything football. More about Nathan Dougherty
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