Shaq Mason has spent the majority of his career on winning teams.
The former New England Patriots 2015 fifth-round pick only departed his original draft team, where he had played for four Super Bowl teams — winning two — to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022. Mason has a good sense to know when a teammate cares.
After day one of Houston Texans training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center July 26, Mason laid out for reporters why he has an admiration for right tackle Tytus Howard.
“He’s extremely hard working,” Mason said. “Takes a lot of pride in his craft. That’s something that you want going in to battle with somebody each and every day. Knowing that he cares just as much as you do, and knowing that I don’t want to let him down — he doesn’t want to let me down. That’s big for the right side of the line.”
Mason and Howard will be working in tandem if the Texans’ plans come to fruition. Even though Mason is the new right guard, three-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil was part of the welcoming committee when the Texans traded for Mason during free agency.
Said Mason: “They welcomed me with open arms. As soon as I got traded here, they both hit me up. We mesh well.”
The connection with Mason and the two starting tackles is also a glimpse into the larger brotherhood the Texans offensive line is forging throughout camp. Mason says they have a group chat and they “absolutely” root for one another.