Tag: azeez al-shaair

DeMeco Ryans excited to reunite with new Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair

A year after proving his capabilities as a full-time starter, Azeez Al-Shaair reunites with DeMeco Ryans as the newest Houston Texans’ star.

If anyone knows what new Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair provides for a defense, it’s DeMeco Ryans. He spent four seasons watching him blossom from an undrafted free agent to one of the best sub-package linebackers while in San Francisco.

Ryans, hired back to the team that drafted him last offseason, nearly was able to convince Al-Shaair to follow him to Houston. Both sides showed mutual interest, but couldn’t reach a middle ground on an annual salary.

Al-Shaair eventually left the 49ers, inking a one-year, $5 million deal with the Tenessee Titans. He proved to be a consistent open-field tackler in his first full year as a starter, totaling the fifth-most stops at 163.

A year later, Al-Shaair officially is reunited with Ryans in Houston, ready to take control of the AFC and compete for championships well past 2024.

“By adding Azeez to our team, we’re getting a tenacious player,” Ryans said Monday at the start of voluntary workouts. “He plays with relentless passion and energy.”

Al-Shaair, 26, inked a three-year deal worth $34 million this offseason after a dominating in Nashville. Not only did the former Florida Atlantic star learn from the teachings of a former Pro Bowl linebacker in Ryans, but also played behind All-Pro Fred Warner and Pro Bowler Dre Greenlaw out west.

Ryans, one of the Texans’ all-time leading tacklers during his playing days, came away impressed with Al-Shaair’s transition to handling a heavier workload. During his time with the 49ers, Al-Shaair played roughly 45% of snaps.

With Tennessee, he rarely came off the field, playing 96% of the team’s defensive reps.

“He showed he was capable of running the show,” Ryans said. “He showed he was able to stay healthy throughout the entire year. He’s durable. He was a playmaker. He was physical. He was the leader of that defense.”

Houston, fresh off its first winning season in four years, has multiple leaders on a revamped defense under Ryans’ teaching, headlined by Defensive Rookie the Year Will Anderson Jr. Linebacker Christain Harris is coming off a promising second season. So is cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who totaled a team-leading five interceptions in 11 games.

The Texans also continued to build their trenches, inking Al-Shaair’s former Titans teammate Denico Autry and Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter to two-year contracts.

Al-Shaair should take over as the play-caller up the middle. His versatility in San Francisco backing up Warner and Greelaw puts him in line to play either role while receiving calls from the sidelines.

There’s a trust factor between Al-Shaair and Ryans. They know how each other operates and what works in building chemistry on the field. They nearly continued their success last season following three playoff berths, including a trip to the Super Bowl in 2019.

Ryans is looking to build off a promising first year in Houston. There’s an urgency to win now with Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud on a team-friendly contract. Adding Al-Shaair might not transcend the Texans’ defense to new heights, but it will stabilize the middle of the field in run support and man coverage.

Last season, Al-Shaair proved he’s capable of commanding the huddle on a rebuilding roster. He’ll now have the opportunity to do on a championship-caliber one.

“I’m excited to not only add Azeez as a player but to also add Azeez, the leader,” said Ryans. “He’s grown as a leader and I’m excited to work with him again.”

Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair to wear No. 0 for 2024 season

New Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair is letting his new number explain how many prisoners he’s taking in 2024.

There’s a new “Agent Zero” taking over the Houston Texans‘ defense in 2024.

Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair will change from No. 2 to No. 0 as the new man up the middle for the Texans, the team announced Wednesday. He will become the fourth Texans player in franchise history to don the number since teams were allowed to assign the jersey last season.

Three different players wore No. 0 in 2023. Desmond King initially grabbed the jersey during training but was waived during the final roster cuts last season. Shaquill Griffin switched numbers before the start of the regular season but was cut following a Week 12 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Adrian Amos, who was picked up off waivers from the New York Jets, wore the number for the remainder of the season as Houston clinched its first division title in four years, but rarely saw action on defense. In five games, he recorded five tackles, four of which were on kickoffs and punts.

Signed a three-year, $34 million deal this offseason, Al-Shaair should don the persona for at least the entirety of the 2024 campaign. He’s coming off a career season where he finished fifth in tackles with 163 stops.

A standout No. 3 linebacker in San Francisco under now-Texans coach DeMeco Ryans, Al-Shaair considered reuniting with his former defensive coordinator last season, but elected to ink a one-year deal worth $5 million with AFC South rival Tennessee.

In Houston, Al-Shaair should take over as the full-time MIKE linebacker in place of Denzel Perryman and Blake Chasman. Both were stable options for an improved run defense, but the Texans felt comfortable watching both walk in free agency last month.

Perryman, a former second-round pick by the Los Angeles Chargers, returned out west on a one-year deal. Cashman, who led the Texans with 104 tackles, returned to his home state of Minnesota, inking a three-year contract with the Vikings.

Entering draft weekend, Houston should feel content with two of its three linebacker spots. Al-Shaair can play all three spots, but started up the middle last season under Mike Vrabel’s 3-4 defensive look.

Third-year pro Christian Harris should command the WILL backer spot after recording career-highs in tackles (102), sacks (2) and pass breakups (7).

The Texans still could target another linebacker prospect to split reps with second-year standout Henry To’oTo’o during the mid-rounds of this month’s draft. Houston owns nine picks, including two selections in the second and fourth round.

2024 NFL free agency: LB Azeez Al-Shaair contract breakdown

The Houston Texans effectively agreed to sign linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair to a two-year, $21.5 million deal on the first day of free agency.

The Houston Texans made a semi-splashy move at the end of the first day of free agency after agreeing to sign linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair to a three-year deal.

Details of Al-Shaair’s new three-year, $34 million emerged hours after the deal was reported. Houston gave Al-Shaair $21.5 million guaranteed, according to KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson which includes an $11 million signing bonus.

Al-Shaair’s base salaries are $1.5 million in 2024, $9 million in 2025 and $11 million in 2026. Only his first two years are guaranteed. Al-Shaair also will earn $29,412 for each game he’s on the active roster, up to $500,000 per season.

For all intents and purposes, it’s a two-year, $21.5 million deal. Not bad to a linebacker who finished the 2023 season with 163 combined tackles, six quarterback hits, two sacks and nine tackles for a loss.

Al-Shaair will also reunite with head coach DeMeco Ryans, who coached him with the San Francisco 49ers for the first four years of his career. Both left the team in 2022 – Ryans to become the head coach of the Texans and Al-Shaair for the Tennessee Titans.

The Texans found their replacement for Blake Cashman in the middle of their defense as well as the inside linebacker signed with the Minnesota Vikings along with defensive end Jonathan Greenard. Al-Shaair started in all 17 games this past season and led the Titans with 1,102 defensive snaps.

2024 NFL free agency: Texans get C+ for Day 1

The Houston Texans kicked off free agency with a mixed bag of signings that left fans wanting more from the front office.

NFL free agency kicked off Monday with the first day of legal tampering, a window in which the NFL allows for free agents to openly negotiate with teams and agree in principle to their respective new deals.

All eyes were on the Houston Texans with their cap space and reported interest in big-name players like defensive lineman Christian Wilkins and running back Saquon Barkley.

However, when the tampering window opened at noon ET, the Texans appeared to be running a tight ship on the contract values they were willing to hand out. High-profile players like Wilkins and Barkley signed elsewhere, whereas the Texans’ first move of the day was to bring back former second-round defensive back and special teamer Lonnie Johnson.

General manager Nick Caserio agreed to a deal with former first-round pick Jeff Okudah later in the afternoon before then agreeing to add former Tennessee Titans defensive end Denico Autry. Bargain shopping continued with a deal for defensive back/special teams player Mike Ford.

Other than Autry, the Texans’ first moves of the 2024 free agency period were all depth or special teams signings.

The Texans made their first semi-major signing in the evening, when they agreed to a deal with former Titans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair on a three-year, $34 deal deal to reunite with DeMeco Ryans – who were both in San Francisco earlier in Al-Shaair’s career. Al-Shaair is a solid addition to tandem up with Christian Harris, after the Texans lost Blake Cashman to the Minnesota Vikings.

Houston capped off the day with two other deals: former All-Pro Kansas City Chiefs punter Tommy Townsend and wide receiver Noah Brown, who was one of the most-targeted Texans wideouts in 2023. The Texans lost veteran punter Cam Johnston to the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier in the day.

This is business as usual for Caserio and staff: Signing a lot of bargain players at deals that are not over the top but can provide valuable play. All in all, the Texans get a C+ for Day 1. Losing guys like defensive end Jonathan Greenard, Cashman and running back Devin Singletary certainly hurts, as well as swinging big and missing on players like Barkley and Wilkins.

Day 2 will certainly be another worth watching, as there is still a plethora of talent left out there.

Texans expected to sign ex-Titans LB Azeez Al-Shaair

The Texans are reportedly expected to sign former Titans LB Azeez Al-Shaair.

The Tennessee Titans are losing yet another key piece to their 2023 defense to a division rival, as linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair is expected to sign with the Houston Texans.

The news comes from Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the deal is for three years and $34 million, which works out to an annual average $11.3 million.

Al-Shaair’s deal with the Titans in 2023 was less than half that at $5 million. I expected the 26-year-old to get more money in free agency, but not quite that much.

Al-Shaair joins fellow former Titan and defensive lineman Denico Autry, who is also expected to sign with the Texans. The veteran linebacker also reunites with his former defensive coordinator from his days with the San Francisco 49ers, Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans.

The Titans already had one starting linebacker to replace in Jack Gibbens, but now they’re tasked with filling a pair of voids at the position. As if that wasn’t bad enough, they’ll now face both Autry and Al-Shaair twice in 2024.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Texans expected to sign LB Azeez Al-Shaair, a former DeMeco Ryans disciple

The Houston Texans brought in a player very familiar with DeMeco Ryans in former Tennessee Titans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans added a familiar face to his defense after the team is expected to sign linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. 

Al-Shaair agreed to a three-year, $34 million deal to join the Texans, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Al-Shaair spent his first four years in the NFL with Ryans on the San Francisco 49ers. Ryans was the 49ers inside linebackers coach for Al-Shaair first two seasons in the league before Ryans took over as defensive coordinator for his final two years in San Francisco.

Now, the two reunite in Houston to give the Texans a quality inside linebacker after Al-Shaair spent 2023 with the Tennessee Titans. Al-Shaair had his most productive year this past season with a career-best 163 combined tackles and six quarterback hits. He matched his career high with two sacks and nine tackles for a loss.

Al-Shaair proved he could be a full-time starter as well. He played all 17 games for the Titans and led the team with 1,102 defensive snaps. That total ranked 16th among all defensive players in the NFL in 2023 and his 95.7% snap rate ranked 27th.

The Texans needed more stability in the middle of their defense and decided to go with the productive up-and-coming Al-Shaair. He’ll be 27 by the start of the season but has five years of quality experience under his belt – four of which being with Ryans in San Francisco.

Report: Titans’ Azeez Al-Shaair interested in Texans in free agency

Titans pending free-agent LB Azeez Al-Shaair reportedly has interest in joining the Texans.

The assumption for quite some time now is that the Tennessee Titans would bring back pending free-agent linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, but it appears they may have some stiff competition from a division rival.

According to Aaron Wilson of Click2Houston.com, Al-Shaair is eyeing the Houston Texans in free agency, where he’d reunite with head coach DeMeco Ryans, who was his defensive coordinator during his days in San Francisco.

Cashman is expected to have a healthy market if he leaves the Texans and they may not be willing to spend enough to keep him from leaving. It’s not regarded as a lock at all that he’ll return and the Texans may explore a free agent market with an eye toward hard-hitting Tennessee Titans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, who’s interested in the Texans, per sources, after playing for Ryans with the 49ers.

Adding to that report, Al-Shaair has also “caught teams’ attention” around the league, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Blake Cashman/Azeez Al-Shaair: These two do-it-all linebackers for Houston and Tennessee, respectively, have caught teams’ attention.

The Titans already have a need to fill at the linebacker position after 2023 starter, Jack Gibbens, proved to be less than ideal in that role.

Losing Al-Shaair, who played well and was a great leader in the locker room during his first season, would obviously leave Tennessee with two holes.

Al-Shaair made it clear he’d like to stay in Tennessee, and the Titans have ample cap space to outbid other teams, but he may be hard-pressed to pass on an opportunity to play for Ryans again, if all things are equal.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

What Titans should do with pending free agents on defense

Our thoughts on what the Titans should do with their 13 pending free agents on defense.

The Tennessee Titans have a grand total of 26 pending free agents to make decisions on during the 2024 offseason, and 13 of of those come from the defensive side of the ball, which is now headed by new defensive coordinator, Dennard Wilson.

While Tennessee’s defense no doubt had its issues in 2023, it was easily the more consistent unit, with the team’s pass-rush standing out the most. That was crucial because of how poorly the secondary played.

The biggest notch on the Titans’ belt on defense in 2023 was the fact that the unit finished as the No. 1 red-zone defense in the NFL.

The Titans have a slew of needs to address on the defensive side of the ball, but some of those can be filled simply by bringing back some of their own pending free agents.

Let’s take a look at who the Titans’ 13 pending free agents on defense are and we’ll share our verdict for what Tennessee should do with them, whether that be re-sign them or let them walk.

Note: Defensive free agents list is courtesy of Over the Cap.

Titans’ list of dead cap hits before making roster cuts

The Titans currently lead the league in dead money and could add to that total if they make cuts.

As the Tennessee Titans attempted to keep a winning team on the field in recent years, they’ve gotten into the business of adding void years to the contracts of free agents they sign and players they restructure.

As a result, it has led to the team having no shortage of dead money over the last two offseasons. One year after landing in the top 10 in that category, the Titans currently sit with the most dead cap in the NFL at $31.8 million, per Over the Cap, which is $7 million more than any other team.

Lest we forget, Tennessee hasn’t made any cuts yet, something the team is expected to do with at least one player in left tackle Andre Dillard. So, the dead money figure will go up.

A notable deadline passed for the Titans recently. The team had until Monday to extend players with void years in their contracts, which would have given Tennessee the opportunity to push the money into future years.

Instead, Tennessee did not extend any of the players on that list, which included running back Derrick Henry, quarterback Ryan Tannehill, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and cornerback Sean Murphy Bunting.

The Titans can still re-sign any of the four (Tannehill is the only one with zero shot to return), but now the aforementioned void year money will be tacked on to the 2024 salary cap on top of whatever the team pays them should Tennessee decide to bring any of them back.

But those four players aren’t the only ones who will account for dead money in 2024. Here’s a look at the entire list and how much each are on the books for, according to Over the Cap.

Ranking 2024’s top 12 free-agent linebackers

“Uce” leads the way for this year’s free-agent linebackers.

As they do with pass rusher Brian Burns, the Carolina Panthers have another top defender ready to hit the open market in linebacker Frankie Luvu. And also like Burns, “Uce” may be sticking around for 2024.

But until we find that out, here’s Luvu and the very best of his free-agent contemporaries: