Houston Texans officials confirmed Friday they have locked up Pro Bowl linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair with a three-year contract extension.
While the team did not reveal financial details, multiple sources indicate the deal is worth $54 million total.
Al-Shaair becomes the third crucial defensive player Houston has secured with a long-term deal during this offseason. The organization previously extended All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr. with a three-year, $150 million contract and signed five-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Danielle Hunter to a one-year, $40.1 million agreement.
The 28-year-old linebacker, whose previous contract was scheduled to end following the 2026 campaign, will now remain with Houston through the 2029 season.
“This place is special. The people are special,” Al-Shaair told KPRC2. “A sense of family is hard to come by. Who would have thought I would make it to the NFL? I went through homelessness. I went to several schools. I couldn’t see myself putting on a uniform with anybody else.”
During the most recent regular season, Al-Shaair served as team captain and earned his first Pro Bowl recognition in 2025. He compiled 103 tackles, defended nine passes, and intercepted two passes across 16 games, starting every contest.
Throughout his NFL career spanning 100 games with 75 starts, Al-Shaair has accumulated 535 tackles, six sacks, five forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, and four interceptions. His professional journey included stops with the San Francisco 49ers from 2019-22 and the Tennessee Titans in 2023 before joining Houston. He originally joined the league as an undrafted free agent.
