The Houston Texans are continuing to position themselves as best they can for free agency, which kicks off next week.
On Friday they gave themselves a little more breathing room within their salary cap by restructuring linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair's contract, as well as releasing offensive guard Shaq Mason. Let's breakdown the moves below.
Al-Shaair restructure
Originally due $9 million in base salary in 2025, Al-Shaair's restructure has created $6.26 million more in cap space for Houston, per NFL insider Aaron Wilson.
Al-Shaair is under contract with the Texans for two more seasons, but his $11 million base salary in 2026 is not guaranteed, making him a potential cut candidate after 2025. A six-year NFL veteran, Al-Shaair began his career with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent.
He moved on to the Tennessee Titans in 2023, then signed a three-year, $34 million contract with Houston in 2024. Al-Shaair has 432 career total tackles, six sacks, 23 quarterback pressures, four forced fumbles, two interceptions, and 15 passes defensed in 84 games played.
Mason released
Mason has been designated as a post-June 1 release. The move saves the Texans $2 million against the cap, but they will be on the hook for $12 million in dead cap money.
Mason is a 10-year NFL veteran who has spent the last two season in Houston. He started 15 games in 2023 and all 17 in 2024, ranking 65th out of 135 eligible guards per Pro Football Focus during the latter. If the Texans don't address guard in a significant way during free agency or the draft, they could turn to players already on their roster, such as Tytus Howard, Kenyon Greene, and Juice Scruggs to take over for Mason.
Texans' potential plans moving forward
These moves are coming off the heels of Houston acquiring wide receiver Christian Kirk in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday. The Texans will absorb Kirk's $15.5 million base salary in 2025, but only had to surrender a 2026 seventh-round pick to get him. If Kirk can put his injury woes behind him, he should make for a great slot receiver with Houston.
Most would agree that the Texans' biggest need heading into the offseason is offensive line. They dealt with poor play from the unit throughout the entire 2024 season, and must make keeping QB C.J. Stroud upright and healthy a priority. Even after making the move for Kirk, Houston could look to add another impact WR either through free agency or the draft. It could also use some quality depth in the interior of the defensive line.
