Azeez Al-Shaair’s hit Trevor Lawrenceand the subsequent decision of NFL suspend the Texans linebacker for three games, could cost Al-Shaair more than his three hits for this season.
Due to a default clause in his contract, Al-Shaair’s $9 million guaranteed salary for the 2025 season will now be automatically forfeited due to his three-game suspension by the NFL, CBS Sports has informed d ‘a source with knowledge of the contract. That’s in addition to the $338,233 in salary for the 2024 season that he will already miss during match controls as he serves his suspension this month.
The Texans signed Al-Shaair to a three-year, $34 million contract last offseason, with $21.5 million guaranteed at signing. Since the $9 million base salary for 2025 is automatically waived, the Texans now have the option to release Al-Shaair after this season at no cost to the team.
This doesn’t mean the Texans will leave Al-Shaair before the start of next season. In fact, a Texas source said Thursday night that the team has no plans to cut him and that “he’s part of our plans” for the future. He would still be able to earn that money if and when he makes the roster next season.
Al-Shaair’s contract covers him if he is suspended for “up to two matches resulting from an act of football on the field.” The NFL initially wanted to suspend Al-Shaair for four games before settling on three, and this was upheld on appeal by an officer jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA.
The $9 million “shall be immediately deemed VOID upon commencement and in its entirety, whether or not the 2025 Guarantee has been earned in accordance with its terms at the time of the player’s default,” the contract states. As one source said, Houston couldn’t use his own discretion and turn the tide.
The majority of teams in the league have some exclusions for on-field suspensions. These can range from one game to three games for on-field suspensions.
Al-Shaair issued a public apology to Lawrence the morning after the play, and Jaguar Head coach Doug Pederson said this week that Lawrence remains in concussion protocol.
Shortly after his suspension was confirmed last week, Al-Shaair posted a photo of the Joker, among other images, with the caption: ; “If you want me to be your bad guy, I’ll be your bad guy.”
Before the suspension was confirmed, Texans general manager Nick Caserio tore up the NFL for what he deemed inconsistent in Al-Shaair’s suspension, calling the decision unfair to the player and the team.
“There’s not a more selfless individual on the team that has earned the respect, that represents everything that we want the program to be. I mean this morning he was at a United Way event. We’re talking “The comments that have been made about his character, about the person he is, about his intentions, come from people who, frankly, know nothing about Azeez Al-Shaair,” Caserio said. And let the league make some of the comments what she made about lack of sportsmanship, lack of coachability, lack of attention to the rules – frankly, it’s embarrassing. And we’re talking about a player who’s never been suspended (and) never ejected.”