Azeez Al-Shaair isn’t leaving the Houston Texans anytime soon.
According to reports, the Texans and Pro Bowl linebacker have agreed to a new three-year extension, keeping him in Houston through the 2029 season. Al-Shaair was entering the final year of his three-year, $33 million extension signed back in 2024.
As the heart and quote-driven leader of the NFL’s top-ranked defense, Al-Shaair was a staple of the Texans’ turnaround under DeMeco Ryans since arriving from Tennessee. Last season, he earned his first Pro Bowl nod after leading the franchise with 103 tackles.
Al-Shaair, a former undrafted free agent out of Florida Atlantic, turned into a full-time starter with the San Francisco 49ers under Ryans, also recorded a career-high eight pass breakups, two quarterback hits, one tackle for a loss, one interception and one fumble recovery.
As the man up the middle, Al-Shaair has been in charge of calling the defensive plays under coordinator Matt Burke, wearing the “green dot” on his helmet. With him up the middle, the Texans not only helped opponents to under 18 points per game, but the 277.2 yards per game marker was the lowest in the league, surpassing the fellow top-ranked Denver Broncos.
Houston also finished with 47 sacks, which ranked among the top 10 of all teams.
This is the second defensive deal general manager Nick Caserio has given out since the end of the regular season. Earlier this month, the Texans picked up the fifth-year option of All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr., then locked him up through 2030 with a three-year deal worth up to $150 million, $134 million of which was guaranteed.
The Texans’ defense, which should only improve with the additions of defensive lineman Logan Hall, safety Reed Blankenship and second-round pick Kayden McDonald, should be set for the long term—nine of the projected 11 starters for the upcoming season and beyond. Eight of the names are locked up through at least 2027.
The Texans begin rookie minicamp on May 7.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans lock up LB Azeez Al-Shaair long-term on new three year extension
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
