Chicago Bears fans cannot wait for the start of training camp next month, especially with the buzz and excitement surrounding the franchise with Ben Johnson leading the charge as head coach.
The Bears don’t have many position battles to focus on during camp. However, Chicago fans will be watching to see how star quarterback Caleb Williams looks heading into Year 2 with an offensive-minded head coach, along with the incoming rookie class.
Whenever a new head coach and coaching staff join a franchise, jobs will be up for grabs as players put themselves in a position to get on the 53-man roster. It should be fun to watch over the next several weeks, to say the least.
Speaking of jobs, one former Bears defensive lineman is looking to keep his after he was re-signed by the Detroit Lions this offseason.
Ex-Bears DE Al-Quadin Muhammad Could Be in Jeopardy with Lions
Al-Quadin Muhammad spent the 2022 season with the Bears after spending the first four years of his career in Indianapolis. Muhammad had a chance to reunite with then-Bears head coach Matt Eberflus, who was the defensive coordinator during his time with the Indianapolis Colts.
The veteran pass rusher didn’t make a huge impact on the Bears’ defense as he only had 29 combined tackles, 10 QB pressures, three quarterback hits, a tackle for loss, a sack, and a forced fumble in 16 games (nine starts).
The Bears cut ties with Muhammad the next offseason despite a year being left on his contract.
Fast forward almost three years, and Muhammad is trying to stick with the Lions. Last year in Detroit, the ex-Bear had 11 combined tackles, eight QB pressures, five quarterback hits, four tackles for loss, three sacks, and a pass deflection in nine games (two starts).
The Lions signed the veteran defender to their practice squad in October after he didn’t make the Dallas Cowboys’ 53-man roster at the end of preseason. Muhammad’s Pro Football Focus grades weren’t much to get excited about (61.9 for pass rushing and 48.7 for run defense), but with the Lions dealing with a ton of injuries last year, it was better than nothing.
That said, the ex-Bear could be in trouble going into training camp as the Lions have a rookie pass rusher Ahmed Hassanein, who has already made his presence felt in the spring workouts.
And not to mention, multiple quality free agent edge rushers are sitting in free agency that would love to play for a Super Bowl contender. Therefore, one has to wonder if Muhammad can hold onto his spot, as he was only re-signed to a one-year pact worth $1.42 million.