The San Francisco 49ers have a large number of players who will be free agents this offseason. One player who is expected to leave the team is linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. The linebacker is an unrestricted free agent and is expected to leave the team this offseason. Jake Hutchinson, a reporter for KNBR, sat down with Al-Shaair, and in his interview, it can be assumed that the linebacker has played his last snap with the 49ers.
Azeez Al-Shaair Statements
Al-Shaair was already a name to watch when it came to players leaving the team in the offseason. It was a set of particular comments the linebacker made when it comes to moving on.
“It almost feels like you’re graduating college again,” Al-Shaair said. “That’s literally how I feel. I’ve been here for four years and I’ve had a great time here and grown as a player, as a man, a person. And now you’re graduating. Going on to the next step, next phase in my life, so definitely grateful for all the memories I’ve got here, but excited for the future too.”
That quote from the linebacker does make it clear that while of course, the 49ers may offer him a deal, he can be expected to leave. Fellow linebacker, Fred Warner, also shared comments on Al-Shaair, where he understands why his teammate will want to move on and make a name for himself.
Azeez Al-Shaair Career
The linebacker has been with the team since 2019, the season the team last went to the Super Bowl. Despite being a great player, Al-Shaair has been overlooked, sharing the field with Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw. Greenlaw signed an extension with the team back in September, and Warner is still under contract; therefore, both will be on the team next season.
In his four years with the team, Al-Shaair has had 199 combined tackles, 111 of them being solo, according to Pro Football Reference. The linebacker has also had 11 tackles for loss. These stats do not include the postseason, where he had 25 combined tackles. Azeez Al-Shaair has also caught two interceptions, one for 24 yards, and forced two fumbles. The linebacker has also had three fumble recoveries.
Al-Shaair’s best season with the team was 2021 when he got 13 starts due to Dre Greenlaw being out with an injury for the majority of the season. Al-Shaair has proven he has the potential to be the number one guy on a team, and unfortunately, that would not be with the 49ers.
One particular team that can be expected to sign the linebacker is the Houston Texans. 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans have been named the new Houston Texans Head Coach. This is the third coordinator for the 49ers in three years to go off to be a Head Coach. Each time, they tend to bring free agents with them. Before becoming the Defensive Coordinator for the team, Ryans was the linebackers coach. This means that he has worked with Al-Shaair closely.
There are many teams that may offer Al-Shaair a deal this offseason. The Texans are a top landing spot for him to be the number one guy. Be sure to watch for the linebacker to potentially head there, or maybe somewhere else, when free agency begins.
For More NFL Content:
Check out this article on a potential new 49ers Defensive Coordinator, Check out this article on the 49ers’ head coach update on Jimmy Garoppolo. Also, check out the multiple reports that came out about Brock Purdy this week.
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