Houston secures a defensive cornerstone as LB Azeez Al-Shaair's new deal keeps their elite unit intact.
One of the NFL's top defenses in 2025 is keeping a cornerstone piece in place after landing a contract extension with linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. The Houston Texans and Al-Shaair reached an agreement on a three-year, $54 million deal that will make the eight-year veteran the third-highest paid off-ball linebacker in the NFL relative to overall contract value.
For more on the extension and what Al-Shaair has brought to the Texans' defense, Texans Roundtable writer Brogan Noey has the latest.
Beginning his career with the San Francisco 49ers, Al-Shaair has become a fixture in the Houston defense which finished with high marks across all major statistical categories in 2025.
The Texans finished No. 1 in total yards allowed and No. 2 in points allowed while wrapping up the season with No. 6 and No. 9 rankings in passing and rushing defense, respectively. The club also finished No. 3 in total takeaways with 29.
On that defense, Al-Shaair contributed 103 total tackles, one for a loss, two hits on the quarterback, a pair of interceptions, nine passes defended and both a fumble forced and recovered during his first Pro Bowl season.
Bringing back the 6-foot-2, 229-pound dynamic second-level player will allow the Texans to keep a key part of its aggressive and productive defense in place in 2026 as the team hopes to return to the playoffs for a second consecutive season.
Houston piled on a 30-6 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wildcard round of the 2025-26 playoffs last year before falling to the eventual AFC Champion New England Patriots in the Divisional round. Head coach DeMeco Ryans hopes to lead his defense-led team back to the postseason this year with Al-Shaair helping to pave the way.