Azeez Al-Shaair‘s reunion with DeMeco Ryans has helped the Texans become one of the NFL’s best defenses. Leading the way in EPA per play last season, Houston has a Will Anderson Jr. extension on the radar. The team is also eyeing a second Al-Shaair agreement.
The former Ryans 49ers charge is entering the final season of a three-year, $34MM contract, and KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes mutual interest in an extension is believed to exist. The Texans have already been active on the extension front, giving one-year bumps to Danielle Hunter and Dalton Schultz. A re-up would reduce Al-Shaair’s $15.24MM 2026 cap number.
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The hard-hitting linebacker would be likely to sign a multiyear extension, as opposed to the one-year deals Hunter and Schultz did. Al-Shaiir, 28, has anchored Houston’s defensive second level since signing as a free agent in 2024. Missing six games in 2024 (three due to a suspension for a hit on Trevor Lawrence), Al-Shaair tallied 103 tackles and nine passes defensed last season. Pro Football Focus ranked him 17th among linebackers.
An update to the linebacker market is expected early this week, with Devin Lloyd and Quay Walker hitting free agency. Al-Shaair is currently tied to the No. 8 off-ball linebacker AAV. Probably not a candidate to rival where Roquan Smith and ex-49ers teammate Fred Warner reside, Al-Shaair will be able to command a raise. The level Nick Bolton and Jamien Sherwood reached on this day last year ($15MM per) would seemingly be realistic.
Houston is also interested in re-signing defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, who fared better last season after struggling in Cincinnati. Part of Ryans’ defense in 2023 and ’25, Rankins scored two touchdowns last season — the second in the Texans’ wild-card rout in Pittsburgh. Rankins will turn 32 next month; he is coming off a three-sack season that featured five tackles for loss. The former first-round pick has proven a fit under Ryans, starting 17 games last season.
Elsewhere on the Texans’ defense, Wilson indicates Denico Autry has not made a retirement call yet. The 12-year veteran will turn 36 in July. Autry played in 12 games last season, recording 3.5 sacks. Autry is unsigned for 2026.
Wilson adds the Texans will likely adjust David Montgomery‘s contract soon. Houston added Montgomery before cutting Joe Mixon. Upon acquiring Mixon via trade in 2024, the Texans gave him a two-year deal worth $19.75MM. Montgomery has two years left on his Lions-designed extension (two years, $18.25MM). While Montgomery’s cap number is only $6MM, no guarantees remain on his contract. The Texans’ extension interest indicates they view this trade as more than a one-year rental.
Montgomery’s arrival points Nick Chubb out the door, and Wilson adds Christian Kirk and Christian Harris are also likely not coming back. Ed Ingram could be priced out of the Texans’ comfort zone. Despite being demoted by the Vikings before they unloaded him for a low-level trade return, Wilson adds Ingram’s price could reach $15MM per year in free agency. The Texans, who traded sporadic guard option Tytus Howard to the Browns, have shown interest in retaining Ingram but perhaps not at that price.
Lastly, the Texans made an addition to their coaching staff recently. They hired Tiquan Underwood as their assistant wide receivers coach, Wilson tweets. Underwood, a former NFL wideout, spent last season as the Cowboys’ assistant WRs coach.