Kansas City Chiefs sign Justin Houston to six-year deal
Wednesday 15 July 2015 19:17, UK
The Kansas City Chiefs have agreed a six-year, $101m contract with star outside linebacker Justin Houston.
Houston was designated as the team’s franchise player at the beginning of free agency in March and the sides had until 9pm BST on Wednesday to agree a long-term deal, otherwise the 26-year-old would have played out the season on the one-year franchise tag.
Talks between the sides intensified in the lead-up to the deadline and culminated with the Chiefs making Houston the richest linebacker in NFL history and the richest player in the team’s history.
The pass rusher is one of the very best defensive players in the NFL and led the league in sacks last season with 22 - just half a sack short of Michael Strahan's all-time single season record.
Houston was scheduled to earn $13.2m under the franchise tag but his new deal averages $16.8m and includes $52.5m in guaranteed money.
The deal makes him the second-highest paid NFL defensive player behind Miami’s Ndamukong Suh (six years, $114m).
It tops the one signed by reigning defensive player of the year JJ Watt of the Houston Texans last September, when he inked a six-year, $100m extension with $51.8m guaranteed.
Houston tweeted the following after signing his deal: “Blessed to sign contract with the KC Chiefs. Thanks to my family #1 & my agents Joel Segal & @gbo74 for the awesome contract!
“Also Thanks & great appreciation to Mr. Hunt, Coach Reid, John Dorsey and of course the best fans of the NFL.”
Chiefs General Manager John Dorsey told the team's official website: “He’s one of the top players in the National Football League and a premier pass rusher. As we've said from the beginning, Justin the football player, and the person, is someone we wanted to be a part of our organization. We are very happy that he will remain a member of the Chiefs.”
Head coach Andy Reid said: “Justin has a relentless work ethic on the field and in the classroom, and he provides our team with tremendous leadership. He is a fearless competitor, and we are glad he is going to be back.”
Through four NFL seasons, Houston has totalled 198 tackles, 48.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, one interception and 19 pass defences since being picked in the third round of the 2011 draft.
The outside linebacker has made the Pro Bowl in each of the last three seasons and was named a first-team All-Pro player in 2014.
