The Houston Texans are sending four players to the 2026 Pro Bowl, and if you're a fan of this rising AFC powerhouse, you know this isn’t just about popularity votes - it’s about respect. These selections came from fans, coaches, and fellow players, which makes them all the more meaningful. And while three of the names were expected, it’s the fourth that might just be the most powerful story of them all.
Let’s start with the headliners. Edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. has been a force of nature this season, racking up 11.5 sacks and consistently disrupting backfields. He’s earned his first Pro Bowl start, and it’s a well-deserved nod for a player who’s quickly becoming one of the most feared young defenders in the league.
Derek Stingley Jr., meanwhile, continues to play corner like it’s an art form. He’s having another All-Pro caliber season, locking down top receivers and making life miserable for opposing quarterbacks. This marks his second Pro Bowl appearance in three seasons - and his second as a starter.
And then there’s Nico Collins, who just keeps stacking 1,000-yard seasons like it’s routine. This is his third straight year crossing that benchmark, and he’s become a go-to weapon in Houston’s passing game. Like Stingley, Collins is also a starter in this year’s Pro Bowl.
But the most compelling name on the list? Azeez Al-Shaair.
For those inside the Texans’ locker room, this wasn’t a surprise. Coaches and teammates have seen his impact since he arrived from Tennessee two years ago. But for the rest of the league, this is the moment they’re finally taking notice.
Al-Shaair has earned his first Pro Bowl nod in his seventh NFL season, a milestone achievement for a linebacker who entered the league as an undrafted free agent and clawed his way up from special teams duty to team captain. His journey is the stuff of NFL lore - not just because of what he’s overcome, but because of how he’s played.
“I’m really proud of all of our guys who made the Pro Bowl,” said head coach DeMeco Ryans. “But a really special one, probably more special to me, is Azeez. Seeing the trajectory of his career - where he started, how hard he’s worked, and now to see him get this honor - it means a lot.”
Ryans didn’t hold back in describing what this moment represents. Al-Shaair, after all, isn’t just a key piece of the league’s top-ranked defense.
He’s also the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Club Winner, recognized for his leadership and off-field impact. And now, he has the respect of his peers - the kind that comes with a Pro Bowl selection.
Al-Shaair’s path hasn’t been easy. He often speaks about his past - including periods of homelessness as a teenager - as a reminder of how far he’s come. But this year, his resilience was tested in a different way.
Back in 2024, he served a three-game suspension following a hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. During that time, he faced intense backlash - including death threats, personal attacks, and even doxxing from some fans. It was a low point, and he’s been open about how close he came to walking away from the game.
“Just a year ago today, I thought about quitting football,” Al-Shaair said on Tuesday. “I felt like the narrative around me was so far from who I am and what I put on tape. But thank God, everything I went through brought me here.”
That emotional honesty is part of what makes this moment so powerful. Al-Shaair didn’t just return - he came back and anchored the middle of a Texans defense that has been the best in the NFL. He’s been a steady, physical presence all year, and the numbers back it up: 96 total tackles (46 solo), eight passes defensed (a career high), two QB hits, one tackle for loss, one interception, and one fumble recovery in 14 starts.
He missed last week’s game against the Raiders with knee and ankle injuries, but he’s expected to return for Week 17 - a massive matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers with playoff seeding and the AFC South title on the line.
So yes, the Texans are sending four players to the Pro Bowl. And while Anderson, Stingley, and Collins continue to build on their growing legacies, it’s Al-Shaair’s moment that resonates deeper.
Not just because of the stats, or the accolades - but because of the journey. From undrafted to unwanted to undeniable.
And now? He’s a Pro Bowler.