NFL Trade Rumors: Shaq Mason Dealt to Texans from Bucs in Free Agency Ahead of Draft

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are trading offensive guard Shaq Mason to the Houston Texans, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Trading Mason now allows the Buccaneers to free up $5.3 million in salary-cap space. They'll carry $4.3 million in dead money for 2023 because of the move.

Mason is due to be a free agent in 2024, but Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reported he's a "strong candidate" to get an extension.

The 29-year-old will be on his third team in as many seasons. Tampa Bay acquired him from the New England Patriots ahead of the 2022 season as it looked to improve on its exit from the NFC divisional round in 2021.

With Tom Brady retired, the Bucs might now be heading toward a transitional phase. Fox Sports' Greg Auman laid out how Mason's departure lines up with that shift in the organization's priorities:

The Texans, meanwhile, still figure to be one of the NFL's worst teams in 2023 after going 3-13-1. Nobody is expecting first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans to immediately turn Houston into a contender.

Strengthening the offensive line is a priority, however, in the likely event the organization selects a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 draft. Alabama's Bryce Young was the choice for the Texans in Bleacher Report's most recent mock.

Setting a young passer up for success often starts with the offensive line. They aren't going to thrive when they're consistently flushed from the pocket or forced into making quick decisions under pressure.

Mason will also help a unit that ranked 31st in adjusted line yards, per Football Outsiders. The Texans averaged the second-fewest yards per carry (3.7) in the league, due in part to the lack of push they got in the interior.