The Houston Texans have spent the offseason trying to figure out what their future looks like. After another disappointing playoff result, the Texans have been forced to revamp their roster again, with the hope being that this current construction of players will help the team emerge as a true championship contender next year.
For the most part, Houston’s offense is the unit that needs the most help right now, as its defense was one of the best groups in the league last year. At the heart of that defense was Pro Bowl linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, who is fresh off the best season of his career. Not only did Al-Shaair earn some well-deserved accolades for his performance on the field, but he has also received a nice new contract from the Texans.
Azeez Al-Shaair Signs Three-Year Contract Extension with the Texans
Al-Shaair didn’t get selected in the 2019 NFL Draft, but he still managed to carve out a role for himself with the San Francisco 49ers. After spending the first four years of his career with the Niners, Al-Shaair spent one season with the Tennessee Titans before he signed a three-year, $34 million contract with the Texans.
After an injury-plagued 2024 campaign, Al-Shaair turned in the best season of his career in 2025. Over 16 games, Al-Shaair racked up 103 tackles, two interceptions, nine pass breakups, and one forced fumble. As a result of his strong play, Al-Shaair earned the first Pro Bowl selection of his career.
Entering the final year of his aforementioned contract, hammering out a new deal for Al-Shaair was one of the primary items on the Texans’ offseason to-do list. With the 2026 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, the two sides appear to have taken care of this important piece of business, as Al-Shaair has reportedly put pen to paper on a three-year deal with Houston.
“The Texans and Pro Bowl LB Azeez Al-Shaair have agreed to terms on a three-year extension, per Ian Rapoport and me,” Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported in a post on X. “A big payday for a key member of Houston’s defense and its Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee in a deal negotiated by Jason Chayut of Sportstars.”
Azeez Al-Shaair Set to Remain a Crucial Piece of the Texans’ Defense
GettyAzeez Al-Shaair #0 of the Houston Texans reacts against the Denver Broncos.
Al-Shaair has been one of the best tacklers in the league for quite some time now, but he really made strides in coverage last season. Now that he’s able to play proficiently against both the run and the pass, Al-Shaair has turned himself into one of the most complete middle linebackers in the league.
As he prepares to enter his age-29 season, it feels like Al-Shaair has a lot of good football left in front of him. He’s a perfect fit for the Texans’ high-flying defense, and you can bet this group will remain as fearsome as ever before in 2026. If the offense can get its act together, Houston could reemerge as one of the scariest teams in the entire league.
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