HOUSTON – One year after the Texans explored signing veteran linebacker Azeez Al-Shairr, he joined the AFC South champions Monday during the first day of the free agent legal tampering period.
Al-Shaair agreed to a three-year, $34 million contract, per a league source.
Shaiir played last season for the Tennessee Titans after having discussions with the Texans last year. Now, the former San Francisco 49ers starting linebacker is reuniting with coach DeMeco Ryans, his defensive coordinator in San Francisco .
A former undrafted free agent from Florida Atlantic,, Al-Shaair gives the Texans a starting linebacker after they lost Blake Cashman in free agency to the Minnesota Vikings.
He finished fifth in the NFL with 163 tackles last season for the Titans.
Al-Shaair is known as a hard-hitting linebacker who had had two sacks, nine tackles for losses and four pass breakups last season.
Al-Shaair, 26, signed a one-year, $5 million deal last season.
A former All-Conference USA selection who went undrafted after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament, Al-Shaair signed with the 49ers and made the 53-man roster.
The 6-foot-2, 228-pound linebacker has recorded 362 tackles, two interceptions, 20 tackles for losses and four sacks for his career.
Aaron Wilson is a contributor to Sports Talk 790
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