Perfect timing: After offseason trade, Shaq Mason signed $36 million deal, made playoffs with division champ Texans

HOUSTON – Inside the Texans’ locker room, Shaq Mason has become a fixture. In just his first season with the team, the veteran offensive guard provides a wise voice behind the obvious credibility of owning two Super Bowl rings from his time with the New England Patriots.

Mason, 30, gives advice to younger teammates and adds a road-grading presence at the line of scrimmage as the stout 6-foot-1, 310-pounder protects quarterback C.J. Stroud and opens holes for running back Devin “Motor” Singletary.

When the Texans traded for Mason from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they did so with the intention of upgrading their interior offensive line. And they wanted to secure Mason’s blocking skills and leadership for more than one season.

After the Texans acquired Mason and a seventh-round draft pick in a trade from the Buccaneers in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick earlier this offseason, they signed him to a three-year, $36 million contract extension in new money, with an average of $12 million annually, a $10 million signing bonus, $22 million guaranteed of that with 61% of the total guaranteed with Mason now being one of the highest paid offensive guards in the league, his agent, Deryk Gilmore, of Day 1 Sports and Entertainment, told KPRC 2.

The timing for Mason to join the Texans, and his fit with the organization, have been tailormade perfect as he’s been a big part of the turnaround from a 3-13-1 season under former coach Lovie Smith to this year’s 10-7 squad that won the AFC South championship and are hosting the Cleveland Browns in an AFC wild-card playoff game Saturday at NRG Stadium.

“Awesome, man, it’s awesome for the fact that this organization win three games last year to be a playoff team,” Mason told KPRC 2. “To be in this position, it’s awesome. It’s a testament to the guys in this locker room.”

Mason said he had a strong feeling when he met coach DeMeco Ryans and reunited with Texans general manager Nick Caserio, a former Patriots executive, that this was going to be an outstanding fit.

“When I got traded here and met ‘Meco and talked to everyone, I said this is a place I could see myself being long-term,” Mason said. “Just to know what the mentality that ‘Meco brings to football, his approach every day, he’s a great guy to play for,” Mason said. “It’s hard to put it into words. To play for a guy who’s been in our position and done the things he has, he brings a different type of fire.”

SEE ALSO Texans finalizing $36 million deal with Shaq Mason

Stroud, 22, has passed for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and just five interceptions for a 100.8 passer rating.

“Absolutely, he doesn’t waver,” Mason said. “That kid is special and every other guy in this locker room who contributes to wins. It’s definitely a team thing. We got the ball rolling.”

The Texans could be dangerous in the postseason with the way Stroud is playing.

“Absolutely, man, if we play our brand of football and take each and every week one game at a time,” Mason said. “I told the guys you got to put your head down and don’t look up until it’s all said and done. Everybody is 0-0 right now. Whoever brings their best every week, will be the team that advances.”

Joining the Texans and reuniting with Caserio and playing for Ryans were all pluses for Mason.

“I was happy when I found out it was here,” Mason said. “It was a happy feeling knowing that I would be here. I knew the system they were going to be running. New coach with a lot of energy. I think it was a perfect fit for me.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.co