The Tennessee Titans are set to add to their linebackers room after news broke on Tuesday that the team is expected to sign former San Francisco 49ers linebacker, Azeez Al-Shaair.
This type of move was necessary for the Titans to make after they parted ways with both of their starting linebackers from the 2022 season (David Long and Zach Cunningham).
Al-Shaair is another high-upside player who was simply stuck behind two talented studs in Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw in San Fran.
The former 49er is coming off a season in which he produced a total of 44 tackles (20 solo) over 313 defensive snaps on the year.
Despite his limited playing time, Al-Shaair made an impact when he was on the field. The Florida Atlantic product finished the season with an impressive pass-rush grade of 83.0 and a run-defense grade of 79.7, per Pro Football Focus.
this is so perfect from Azeez Al-Shaair (51) I could cry pic.twitter.com/By0WGxWlYV
— Derrik Klassen (@QBKlass) January 25, 2023
As you would imagine, this type of move brought the fanbase some much-needed joy and optimism after the departures of some key players and a relatively slow start to free agency overall.
Let’s take a closer look at how fans and media reacted to today’s news.
This is a good signing. Was hoping Ran would bring some of his guys over. https://t.co/eEqFztOIGM
— Christian (@christivnr___) March 14, 2023
THATS MY LB 😭😂🤣 https://t.co/ceL3UXbwG2
— Darius M. Horton 🫡 (@DariusHorton_) March 14, 2023
Azeez Al-Shaair is the first Ran Carthon connection to come to the #Titans.
Was part of the excellent #49ers defense and takes over David Long's spot a day after he went to Miami.— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) March 14, 2023
Solid replacement for David Long, but it is kind of funny that they signed a guy who missed the same amount of games in 2022 lol https://t.co/AU2yyJY52C
— Nick Lombardi (@NF_Lombardi) March 14, 2023
SOLID. Has the ability to become an absolute star. https://t.co/ryOCj9Rbpi
— Frenchie (@farmerFRENCHIE) March 14, 2023
To Titans fans: Azeez is as solid as it gets. Great pro. Get LB. Every time we thought he was good he got better
— Evan Sowards (@EvanSowards) March 14, 2023
Sitting back and letting Ran cook
— Vincenzo (@HeHateV) March 14, 2023
Titans lost David Long to Dolphins but get an explosive LB in the fold today. https://t.co/AXdJoVqaAE
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 14, 2023
Expect him to compete to be a starter in Tennessee. Played behind Werner and Greenlaw in SF who are two really good LBs.
Had over 100 tackles in 2021 in only 13 games. #Titans https://t.co/3oyVMW97OA
— TicTacTitans (@TicTacTitans) March 14, 2023
I like Al Shaair now show us Lamar
— Robert Pruitt (@robert22footbal) March 14, 2023
This is the LB version of signing Delanie Walker – good player from SF that deserves a bigger role https://t.co/pI3GTNu98q
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) March 14, 2023
Only downside I see to the Azeez Al-Shaair signing is that AAS just became more complicated as shorthand in the #Titans universe.
— Mike Herndon (@MikeHerndonNFL) March 14, 2023
LFG!!! ⚔️#Titans https://t.co/P7rk6ACqO5 pic.twitter.com/OWRttSB14U
— Shaun Calderon (@ShaunMichaels31) March 14, 2023
Nine starts last year for SF. Had 102 tackles in 2021. https://t.co/w03vmb1Epk
— Mickey Ryan (@MickeyRyan1045) March 14, 2023
Okay, feeling better now https://t.co/yBiP7mn5of
— Jon Reed (@Jon__Reed) March 14, 2023
Azeez Al-Shaair:
pronounced uh-zeeze al-shy-ear#Titans
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) March 14, 2023
