Texans Sign LB Azeez Al-Shaair To Three-Year Deal

A year after leaving DeMeco Ryans, the Houston Texans add Azeez Al-Shaair to the middle of their defense.

The Houston Texans have found their middle linebacker of the future.

The Texans and former Tennessee Titans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair have agreed to terms on a three-year $34 million deal, a source close to the situation confirms with TexansDaily.com. Al-Shaair was a hot name that was expected to join the Texans after a one-year stay in Nashville. 

Al-Shaair, 26, frequently was mentioned in conversations last offseason to join the AFC South franchise after DeMeco Ryans was hired from the San Francisco 49ers, but elected to take a one-year, $5 million deal with the Titans. It ended up benefitting Tennessee as the former 49ers No. 3 linebacker finished fifth in the NFL with 163 combined tackles in his lone season with the franchise. 

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Al-Shaair is the second Titans defender who's reportedly defected to the division rival Texans on Monday. Defensive lineman Denico Autry also agreed to terms with Houston on a two-year deal worth $20 million. 

Undrafted out of Florida Atlantic, Al-Shaiir bet on himself last season. His familiarity with Titans general manager Ran Carthon was one of several factors that brought him to the AFC South. Another major factor was former Titans coach Mike Vrabel. 

Reunited with Ryans, Al-Shaair will take over for Blake Cashman, who signed a three-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings on a three-year deal earlier Monday afternoon. While in San Francisco, Al-Shaair mostly played the SAM role but transitioned to the middle under Vrabel en route to a 6-11 season. 

Texans Signing Defensive Back Mike Ford to Two-Year Deal

Al-Shaair is expected to play the MIKE role in Ryans' defense while third-year pro Christian Harris will remain on the weak side. Houston could also bring back Denzel Perryman or elevate second-year linebacker Henry To'oTo'o to an expanded role this offseason. 

Houston also signed former Atlanta cornerback Jeff Okudah to a one-year deal worth up to $6 million. Al-Shaair is the third deal worth three years, joining tight end Dalton Schultz (three-year, $36 million) and kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn (three-year, $15.9 million).