HOUSTON -- The Texans continued their offseason spending spree by agreeing to a three-year, $54 million contract extension with Pro Bowl linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, sources told NFL Network.
Al-Shaair's deal marks another extension for Houston this offseason. Two weeks ago, the Texans and All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr. agreed to a historic three-year, $150 million extension that made him the highest-paid non-quarterback ever. All-Pro defensive end Danielle Hunter got a one-year, $40 million deal and tight end Dalton Schultz received a one-year, $12.6 million extension. The Texans also gave kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn a two-year, $13 million contract extension.
Al-Shaair had his first Pro Bowl season in 2025 after totaling 103 tackles, two interceptions and nine pass deflections. He has been in Houston for two years after playing with the Tennessee Titans in 2023.
He wore the "green dot" on defense as he relayed the playcalls from Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke for the No. 1-ranked total defense (277.2 yards per game) and No. 2 scoring defense (17.4 points per game) last season. There were also times when Al-Shaair called the plays himself when the opposing offense was in hurry-up mode.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans tried to sign Al-Shaair during his first offseason as the Texans' coach in 2023 when the linebacker ultimately ended up signing a one-year deal with the Titans. Ryans and Al-Shaair worked together during their time with the San Francisco 49ers (2019-2022) where he had 199 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, 11 stops for loss, and 2 forced fumbles.
But eventually Ryans swayed him to play for the Texans in 2024 on a three-year deal worth $34 million. He had no guaranteed money left on his contract before this most recent extension.
Azeez Al-Shaair is most known for an ejection in Week 13 of the 2024 season after his hit to the head of Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. He was ejected in the second quarter of Houston's victory after he delivered a blow to the face mask of Lawrence while the quarterback was sliding to the ground, causing Lawrence to suffer a concussion. Al-Shaair later apologized to Lawrence.
The NFL suspended Al-Shaair for three games citing "repeated violations of player safety rules." The incident cast a negative perception on his character, but the Texans have consistently defended Al-Shaair as a person, citing the humanitarian work he does in the Houston community. As a result, the organization selected him as their Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee in 2025.
