The Houston Texans have agreed to an extension with one of their key defenders following the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Texans are signing linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair to a three-year extension, according to multiple reports. The full terms of the contract have not yet been disclosed.
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Al-Shaair was entering the final season of a three-year, $34 million contract he signed with the Texans as a free agent in 2024. His new deal will tie him to Houston through the 2029 NFL season.
Al-Shaair’s extension comes after he enjoyed a career-best season in 2025. He totaled 103 tackles – his second-most in a single season – while notching a career-best two interceptions and nine pass defenses and allowing an 80.3 passer rating.
Al-Shaair was named to his first career Pro Bowl as a result of his strong 2025 campaign. He was also the Texans’ nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.
The Texans kept Al-Shaair despite trade overtures from the Dallas Cowboys, ESPN’s Todd Archer reports. The Cowboys pursued Al-Shaair before acquiring linebacker Dee Winters from the San Francisco 49ers during the 2026 NFL Draft.
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Retaining Al-Shaair could prove critical for the Texans. Both he and fellow starting linebacker Henry To’oTo’o were set to be free agents following the 2026 season. Now, the Texans have at least one linebacker locked up long-term for their defense, which was among the NFL’s best stop units last season.
Here’s more to know about Al-Shaair’s contract as the soon-to-be 29-year-old prepares to stay in Houston long-term.
Azeez Al-Shaair contract details
The full details of Al-Shaair’s contract have not yet been disclosed. All that is presently known is that Al-Shaair has signed a three-year extension to remain with the Texans.
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Al-Shaair is the second notable Houston defender to sign a lucrative extension during the offseason. The Texans also inked star pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. to a three-year, $150 million contract to make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history by average annual value (AAV).
This story will be updated.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texans extend Pro Bowl linebacker after 2026 NFL Draft
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