While the quarterback of the Houston Texans’ offense wasn’t featured among the top 10 passers for the 2026 season, that doesn’t mean the quarterback of the defense would be snubbed.
Since joining the Texans, Azeez Al-Shaair has become a constant force up the middle, performing with grace, stability and consistency on the field while serving as a role model and beloved teammate off of it. In two years, he has helped Houston become the league’s top defense and the definition of terror in the NFL.
Scouts, executives and coaches praised Al-Shaair as a premier linebacker when approached by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler for the annual linebacker rankings going into the season. He received as high as the No. 3 linebacker in votes, but appeared overall at No. 6, trailing Detroit Lions star Jack Campbell and Cleveland Browns rookie Carson Schwesinger.
“Al-Shaair is finally getting his due after seven NFL seasons,” Fowler wrote. “The veteran linebacker wasn’t a factor in previous rankings, but after embodying Houston’s ultra-physical defense and landing a three-year, $54 million deal, league-wide recognition followed.”
Fowler mentioned that over two dozen ballots were sent out for the top 10 linebackers. All but one returned with his name.
One evaluator compared Al-Shaair, who recorded a team-leading 103 tackles last season to one of the NBA’s all-time top defenseman, not because of his size, but rather his intimidation factor.
“He’s the Dennis Rodman of linebackers,” an NFL personnel evaluator told Folwer. “He gets in everyone’s head. He can run all day and can play every down.”
Undrafted out of Florida Atlantic, Al-Shaair had to earn his way onto the active roster for the San Francisco 49ers. He worked up into the starting role, then bet on himself before joining the Texans by signing a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans. That season, he finished top five in tackles with 162 stops, thus helping him earn more on the market the following offseason.
While Al-Shaair has been known for his wrap-up tackling skills, he drastically improved in coverage last season opposite of Henry To’oTo’o. Al-Shaair’s career-high nine pass breakups were the most for a Texans player with 100 tackles since Brian Cushing totaled 10 during his rookie season in 2009. He added two interceptions and a tackle for loss.
“He’s specialized by scheme a bit, but he’s explosive and good in coverage,” an NFL coordinator said.
To read the full list of linebackers, click here.
Al-Shaair and the Texans return to Reliant Stadium for the start of training camp on July 21.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans Pro Bowler Azeez Al-Shaair viewed as top 10 LB for 2026 by NFL execs, coaches
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cole Thompson, Texans Wire | USA TODAY Network
