DeMeco Ryans finds the Texans answer up the middle by adding a familiar face
WELCOME TO HOUSTON
13 March 2024
The Texans' new linebacker played for DeMeco Ryans in San Francisco. Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images.
The Houston Texans still have spots to fill, as we're only three days into free agency. But they have addressed linebacker with the signing of former Titan and 49er, Azeez Al-Shaair.
Al-Shaair played for DeMeco in San Francisco, and was a target of the Texans in free agency last season. Al-Shaair opted to sign a 1-year deal with the Titans instead of coming to Houston.
This year, DeMeco got his man signing Al-Shaair to a 3-year, $34 million deal, per KPRC 2's Aaron Wilson.
#Texans three-year, $34M deal for Azeez Al-Shaair: $21.5M gtd, $11 million signing bonus, salaries $1.5M (gtd), $9M (gtd), $11M; $29,412 per game active roster bonus annual up to $500K
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 12, 2024
Just two years ago, Al-Shaair was a member of the best linebacker trio in the NFL. Playing alongside 49ers' Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw. But with his contract expiring with the 49ers after the 2022 season, it was time for Al-Shaair to go be the main guy on a new team. And after one season with Tennessee, it's time for him to do it in Houston.
With Denzel Perryman and Blake Cashman leaving in free agency, Houston needed to add to the position group. Al-Shaair will join Christian Harris in the Texans' linebacker room. Who will fill the third role is yet to be determined. But that's a great duo at linebacker, and the Texans play a ton of nickel coverage, with only 2 linebackers on the field.
What does Al-Shaair bring to the table?
Al-Shaair isn't quite as good in coverage as Cashman or Harris, per PFF. But he's great against the run, recording over 150 tackles last season.
The 26-year-old Al-Shaair should be an immediate upgrade at linebacker, or DeMeco wouldn't have given him a bigger contract than Cashman received. And don't be surprised if we see Christian Harris taking over some coverage duties left behind by Cashman.
In the video above, Craig from Sports Talk Extra uses some numbers from PFF to illustrate how DeMeco Ryans could deploy his new handpicked linebacker.
Examining all the reasons to believe the Rockets aced the offseason
Jul 2, 2025, 4:31 pm
The Houston Rockets are reshaping their roster in real time — and we’re breaking it all down. In just 24 hours, the team has added Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela, moves that mark a clear shift in direction under Ime Udoka. With Finney-Smith in, Dillon Brooks is out — but is this a swap that actually makes Houston better?
In this episode, we dive deep into what these signings mean for the Rockets’ identity and future. Is Finney-Smith a cleaner fit in Udoka’s system than Brooks ever was? Are these aggressive contracts smart bets or future burdens? And what does all this say about the organization’s faith in its young core — from Amen Thompson to Alperen Sengun?
We also look ahead. Is this offseason already a win, or are more moves — like a Kevin Durant extension or Cam Whitmore trade — still on the table? Let’s talk about where the Rockets stand now, and where they could be headed next.
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