Texans Keep Defensive Core with Azeez Al-Shaair Contract Extension: Report

In late March, there was smoke that the Dallas Cowboys were exploring a potential trade for Houston Texans green-dot linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.

It turns out that was nothing more than smoke.

NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday that the Texans and Al-Shaair “have agreed to terms” on a three-year contract extension. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Al-Shaair, 28, entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent and latched on with the San Francisco 49ers in 2019. He played four seasons in the Bay before spending the 2023 season with the Tennessee Titans. He signed a reported three-year, $34 million contract with the Texans as a free agent in March 2024.

Since then, Al-Shaair grew into an integral part of what is widely considered the league’s best defense. Last season, he led the Texans with 103 total tackles (48 solo), and he additionally posted nine passes defensed and two interceptions en route to his first-career Pro Bowl nod.

This offseason, the Texans prioritized retaining a unit that could carry them to a Super Bowl.

Before reportedly inking Al-Shaair, Houston signed veteran defensive end Danielle Hunter, who led the team with 15 sacks last year, to a one-year, $40 million contract. The Texans then locked up All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr., the third overall pick in 2023, on a historic three-year, $150 million extension.

The Texans took a similar approach last offseason, when they extended nickel cornerback Jalen Pitre and reset the cornerback market with Derek Stingley Jr.’s extension.

As was the case in 2025, the pressure is squarely on quarterback C.J. Stroud and the offense to hold up their end of the bargain in 2026.

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This story was originally published April 29, 2026 at 3:41 PM.