After spending the past two seasons protecting quarterback C.J. Stroud, the Houston Texans have decided to release starting guard Shaq Mason. A fourth-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, Mason used to be one of the league’s premier blockers. A force in the run game, Mason helped the New England Patriots win two Super Bowls and was a fixture on the late 2010s Patriots.
While he’s no longer an elite player, Mason remained a reliable starter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022 and the Texans in 2023 and 2024. Last year, the Georgia Tech product finished the season with a 60.5 PFF grade, the 44th-best mark out of 77 eligible players. However, his $14.5 million cap hit was too much for Houston, so they moved on shortly after acquiring wide receiver Christian Kirk.
Mason isn’t worthy of an eight-digit salary at this stage in his career, but multiple teams should be interested in acquiring the 10-year veteran. After all, there aren’t enough good offensive linemen to go around, and Mason is still a starting-caliber player. In no particular order, don’t be surprised if these three teams pursue his services.
BREAKING: Houston Texans Release Shaq Mason – 3 Teams Could Sign Him
Possible Fits
New England Patriots
The Patriots traded Shaq Mason in 2022 and are still searching for his replacement. While Mike Onwenu is an above-average guard, New England desperately needs a left guard to protect franchise quarterback Drake Maye. Fourth-round pick Layden Robinson didn’t do much to inspire confidence as a rookie, and Cole Strange cannot stay on the field and might be transitioning to center. Mason spent most of his career on the right side, but he should be able to learn left guard easily enough. Even though he never played under current head coach Mike Vrabel, there are enough leftovers from the Belichick organization in Foxboro who should be able to voucher for Mason’s abilities.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints need help at just about every offensive line position. Quarterback Derek Carr is poised to return for another season, which means the team must improve the offensive line if they want their quarterback to survive a full 17-game season. Carr is one of the worst quarterbacks in the league when pressured, and the Saints must do something about their interior offensive line. Perhaps Shaq Mason isn’t the player he once was, but the Texans guard could easily start for this team following his release.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers have the game’s best tackle duo in Rashawn Slater and 2024 first-round pick Joe Alt. Unfortunately, that didn’t really matter due to the ineptitude of the interior offensive line. Zion Johnson isn’t the worst guard in the league, but right guard Trey Pipkins was an active liability. The team can save $6.75 million by releasing him, and Mason is a far superior player even at his advanced age. With great tackles and reliable guards, the Chargers should be able to execute Jim Harbaugh’s vision and dominate in the trenches.
