The Tennessee Titans are losing yet another key piece to their 2023 defense to a division rival, as linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair is expected to sign with the Houston Texans.
The news comes from Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the deal is for three years and $34 million, which works out to an annual average $11.3 million.
Al-Shaair’s deal with the Titans in 2023 was less than half that at $5 million. I expected the 26-year-old to get more money in free agency, but not quite that much.
Al-Shaair joins fellow former Titan and defensive lineman Denico Autry, who is also expected to sign with the Texans. The veteran linebacker also reunites with his former defensive coordinator from his days with the San Francisco 49ers, Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans.
The Titans already had one starting linebacker to replace in Jack Gibbens, but now they’re tasked with filling a pair of voids at the position. As if that wasn’t bad enough, they’ll now face both Autry and Al-Shaair twice in 2024.
