Texans, LB Azeez Al-Shaair agree to 3-year extension - ESPN

HOUSTON — The Texans continued their offseason spending spree by agreeing to a three-year contract extension with Pro Bowl linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, according to 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