The Bears on Sunday signed unrestricted free agent defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad to a two-year contract.
Muhammad, 26, spent the last four seasons playing on a Colts defense that was coordinated by first-year Bears coach Matt Eberflus.
The 6-4, 250-pounder appeared in 64 games with 25 starts for Indianapolis, registering 124 tackles, 11.0 sacks, 22 tackles-for-loss, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
“Quan represents the play style coach Eberflus wants our entire team to have,” said general manager Ryan Poles. “His motor and desire to affect the game stands out. We are excited to have him. We would like to thank Drew Rosenhaus at Rosenhaus Sports for helping bring him to Chicago.”
His experience in Eberflus’ defense in Indianapolis should help Muhammad make a smooth transition with the Bears.
“I’m extremely excited,” Muhammad said Sunday during a Zoom call with the media. “It’s going to be great for me and great for the guys that surround me because I know the scheme and I’ve played in that scheme for several years. It’s a winning scheme. I’m excited about that.”
Muhammad was selected by New Orleans in the sixth round of the 2017 draft out of Miami and played in four games as a rookie, all as a reserve, recording four tackles. He was claimed by the Colts off waivers from the Saints prior to the start of the 2018 season.
Last season was Muhammad’s first as a regular starter; he opened all 17 games and compiled career highs with 48 tackles and 6.0 sacks while also amassing seven tackles-for-loss.
The percentage of defensive snaps he played with the Colts increased each of the last three years from 42 to 47 to 56 to 73 percent.
Muhammad told reporters that he’s thrilled to rejoin Eberflus with the Bears.
“The appreciation I have for coach Eberflus is the love that he has for the game,” Muhammad said. “He’s the same guy every day; high-energy guy. He brings the juice….