RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Yahoo Sports — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 1 sourcesWhen fourth-year head coach DeMeco Ryans first came to the Houston Texans , they had one of the worst defenses in the league.
But in 2025, the Texans had one of the most dominant defenses in the NFL.
Last season is in the rearview mirror. With the additions Houston made in the offseason, including signing defensive ends Jadeveon Clowney and defensive lineman Logan Hall , it should be even better this year.
Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair said the defense is not having that attitude. Instead, they have to climb up the mountain and put in the work just like last year.
Azeez Al-Shaair has a ton of respect for how Keylan Rutledge plays the game: “That boy is Conference USA all the way. He plays that way too, plays with a chip on his shoulder. Plays the game the right way, works hard. At that position, it doesn’t take a whole lot of talent,… pic.twitter.com/z60Qds06DX
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) August 4, 2026 “We go as far as we work," Al-Shaair said. "It’s a lot of favor and just guys staying healthy along the way. When you have all the pieces that we already had and then you add guys to it, obviously the sky’s the limit. It’s just about the work we put in every day. You can’t climb that mountain on day one, but you also can’t look back either. It’s just taking it one day at a time, one step at a time and we’re on the right track.”
I don’t think there’s a problem later more pumped for a padded practice than #Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair. Dude was the first player on the field bland hasn’t stopped bouncing since he took it. pic.twitter.com/Ne7Wiolpf4
— Cole Thompson (@MrColeThompson) August 1, 2026 So far, they are headed in the right direction in training camp. The defense has been physical throughout training camp, including getting some takeaways. If the Texans defense performs this way during the season, there is no limit to how far this defense could take them.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Pro Bowl LB Azeez Al-Shaair says the sky is the limit with Texans' defense
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.