Lions made a critical mistake in NFL offseason

The Detroit Lions are one of those underdog teams that people just like to see succeed. Well, at least people who aren't fans of the Chicago Bears or Minnesota Vikings.

But the Lions came close to getting to the Super Bowl during the 2024-25 season, and if they had closed the deal, it would have marked the franchise's first appearance ever at the big game.

That didn't happen, and with a fractured coaching staff, the team has experienced difficulties regrouping after that stellar showing.

While the Lions made some good moves during the NFL Draft, notably finally investing in Michigan edge-rusher Derrick Moore with the 44th overall pick in the second round, they did make one blunder during the season.

Detroit Lions missed the ball on this move

The Lions let free-agent edge-rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad walk after the 2025-26 season. Muhammad clocked 11 sacks last season, and he was a large reason the Lions at least had a respectable showing in the NFC North.

While it's great that the Lions stepped it up on the edge-rusher position with the Moore pick, keeping a veteran on board in Muhammad would have been the right move.

Now, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are getting praised for signing Muhammad. In a feature on each team's postseason moves, Jenna Laine of ESPN notes that the Bucs taking Muhammad was a smart thing to do, stating that the team is "hoping they can get back to the type of pressure they were generating off the edge in 2020."

If head coach Dan Campbell and the Lions are going to get back to the top of the NFC North, they're going to need some solid veterans. Letting Muhammad walk may be a move that will come back to haunt them.