The Dallas Cowboys expressed interest in acquiring Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair before the NFL Draft. However, the Texans declined all trade offers for the Pro Bowl defender.
On Wednesday, the Texans and Al-Shaair finalized a three-year contract extension, according to NFL Media.
The team had already secured long-term deals for several defensive standouts, including:
- Defensive end Will Anderson Jr.
- Defensive end Danielle Hunter
- Tight end Dalton Schultz
- Kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn
Al-Shaair earned his first Pro Bowl selection after posting 103 tackles, two interceptions, and nine pass breakups during the 2025 season. He also served as the defensive signal-caller, wearing the green dot, as Houston’s defense finished first in total defense and second in scoring defense last year.
Al-Shaair shares a strong bond with head coach DeMeco Ryans, having spent four seasons together with the San Francisco 49ers. After a single season in Tennessee in 2023, Al-Shaair reunited with Ryans in Houston in 2024.
His 2024 campaign included a Week 13 ejection following a hit to Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence as Lawrence slid to the ground. The NFL later suspended Al-Shaair for three games due to “repeated violations of player safety rules.”
In 2025, Al-Shaair was honored as the Texans’ nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
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