Texans To Cut G Shaq Mason

Movement is coming at the guard position for the Texans. Part of the team’s plans at the position will involve cutting Shaq Mason

The veteran has been informed he will be released, as first reported by Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. Two years remained on Mason’s contract, with just over $1MM in guaranteed salary in place for 2025. If it does not include a post-June 1 designation, this move will create $2.12MM in cap space but generate $12.48MM in dead money.

Mason was dealt from the Patriots to the Buccaneers in 2022, and he occupied a starting role with Tampa Bay that year. He once again found himself on the move the following offseason, though, with a swap sending him to the Texans. The 31-year-old started each of Houston appearances, missing only two contests along the way.

Since his rookie campaign, Mason has exclusively worked at right guard. The interior of Houston’s offensive line was a major sore spot during the year, and to no surprise Wilson notes renovating at that spot is a clear goal for the team. As free agency approaches, making at least one notable addition at guard is something to watch for in the Texans’ case. The team entered Friday with roughly $5MM in cap space.

PFF gave Mason a string of highly impressive evaluations for much of his Patriots tenures. The Georgia Tech product has seen his overall grades decline recently, however, and it checked in at 62.3 in 2024 after allowing eight sacks and 34 pressures. Pass protection was a clear issue for Houston this past season, and finding an upgrade from Mason will go a long way in improving in that regard.

Trey Smith was set to be the best option available at the guard position (or any others along the O-line) in free agency, but the Chiefs kept him off the market by applying the franchise tag. As a result, the free agent group does not include a long list of attractive blockers, particularly along the interior. That could help Mason’s bid to land a new deal in the near future, but his Texans performances could steer suitors elsewhere.

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