The Houston Texans haven't been shy about the team's intention of reworking their offense. After a clear sophomore slump from star quarterback C.J. Stroud, it was a needed change. This change included a new look offensive line with guard Shaq Mason falling out of the team's plans. This doesn't come as a big surprise with the aging veteran nearing the end of his career. With that said, Mason's accomplishments deserve respect, even if it was clear that Houston should move in a different direction.
Shaq Mason was an integral part of Tom Brady's late Patriot teams, appearing in three Super Bowls with the franchise. Mason would win rings against the Eagles and Rams, cementing his legacy as a part of New England's dynasty. The fact that this accomplished of a player remains in free agency in May is a bit surprising even at this late stage of the guard's career.
Texans Made the Right Decision Moving on from Shaq Mason
This is a Houston coaching staff and front office facing pressure after a frustrating season was followed by a swift playoff exit. The Texans cannot afford to be paying players on past accomplishments and must be extremely cautious of how they build the offensive line in front of C.J. Stroud and Joe Mixon.
Houston's priority is finding younger pieces to put in front of Stroud, who is soon going to be owed a massive payday. The quarterback is going to continue to face higher expectations in a conference he is sharing with Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Lamar Jackson. It is far from an easy road for the franchise quarterback.
With this in mind, the team's decision to release Shaq Mason was the right one. This is evidenced by the fact that the guard remains unsigned weeks later. Due to injury concerns and age, Shaq Mason is no longer the stabilizing presence he once was. For Houston, getting younger and cheaper is the right direction to take as the franchise attempts to right the ship after a frustrating 2024 season.