A year ago, Azeez Al-Shaair considered joining the Houston Texans as a free agent after leaving San Francisco. However, he ended up signing a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans instead.
Now, as a free agent once again, Al-Shaair has chosen to sign a three-year, $34 million contract with the Texans. His decision was influenced by the team’s success in 2023, but the main factor was his desire to reunite with Coach DeMeco Ryans.
During a recent appearance on *Locked On Texans*, Al-Shaair praised Ryans, saying, “Coaches coach because they cannot play. If he could, he would go out there and play tomorrow. He invests so much time in ensuring you understand your role. For him, this is everything. He is the best teacher I could’ve asked for during those early years.”
Al-Shaair began his career as an undrafted free agent with the 49ers in 2019, which was also Ryans’ second year as the team’s linebackers coach. Their relationship developed during this time, with Ryans’ mentorship helping Al-Shaair build a strong foundation for his career. In his final season with the Titans, Al-Shaair posted a career-high 163 tackles, six quarterback hits, and 2.0 sacks.
Ryans reflected on Al-Shaair’s intelligence and leadership, stating, “He was one of the smartest players I interviewed. He could draw up the entire defense and discuss blitzes in detail. He is a leader of men, and I’m excited to have him on our roster and see him build relationships with our locker room. The guys have really gravitated towards him and see the value he brings.”
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