What role Al-Quadin Muhammad fills for Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears announced the signing of Al-Quadin Muhammad, a pass rusher who was previously with the Indianapolis Colts. The combination of trading Khalil Mack and Muhammad having his best years while playing for Matt Eberflus may have made this a no-brainer decision.
Now, the question is how Muhammad will get onto the field. Trevis Gipson and Robert Quinn are expected to start, but Muhammad should get chances over Jeremiah Attachou, especially when it comes to pass-rushing situations.,
Al-Quadin Muhammad is a pass rush specialist for Chicago Bears
The reality is that the Chicago Bears signed a designated pass rusher in Al-Quadin Muhammad. He has spent about 60% of his career defending the pass, and his statistics are much better against the pass.
Per PFF, Muhammad has 104 career pressures to just 69 career run stops. Last season he had 37 pressures on 58% pass-rush snaps and 21 run stops on 42% run stops.
Beyond that, he has a 17.4% pass rush win rate, and a 4.1% run stop win rate. He was one of the Colts’ better pass rusher and was clearly their worst run defender.
With that in mind, he will have a designated role and will be called upon for obvious pass downs. This makes sense as a player to pair with Trevis Gipson, who is much heavier than Muhammad, and much better against the run.
If you recall, Gipson was a 3-4 defensive end who moved outside to the edge during his college time. He is much better against the run, and while he can rush the passer, his run defense may be more valuable to the team.
If Gipson makes a big run stop on first or second down that creates a third and long it may be the right time to let him catch his breath while Muhammad comes in and takes snaps rushing the passer.
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It is interesting to note that he had just four starts coming into the season and then in 2021 started in 17 games. Do the Chicago Bears trade Robert Quinn and have Gipson and Muhammad be their pass rush duo? For now, Muhammad is more likely to go back to his standard role.