As if the timing couldn’t be more perfect, one of the formerly most-feared pass-rushers in the NFL was just released by the Kansas City Chiefs. Edge rusher Justin Houston was handed his walking papers after the Chiefs failed to find a trade partner for his services:
Chiefs are releasing four-time Pro-Bowl LB Justin Houston, per source. They had tried to trade him, but no one willing to pick up the $15.25 million base salary that was due this season. Houston now a free agent.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2019
This should come as a surprise to absolutely nobody as Houston’s contract was never going to be traded for. Houston was once the leagues premier pass-rusher as he registered 22 sacks in 2014, though he hasn’t been able to recreate the same magic since. Injuries have plagued Houston for years as he hasn’t played a full 16 games since 2014, though he still registered 9.5 and nine sacks in the past two seasons. Over his eight-year career, Houston has racked up 78.5 career sacks, 32 pass deflections, four interceptions, two touchdowns, 14 forced fumbles, 96 tackles-for-loss, and 118 quarterback hits.
Houston probably isn’t what he once was, but he’s proven he’s still a quality player who uses great technical ability and a combination of speed and power to harass quarterbacks. Since Houston was released, he also wouldn’t affect the compensatory pick formula, which makes his signing that much sweeter.
Last year the Rams deployed the exact same strategy when signing DT Ndamukong Suh to help catapult them to a Super Bowl, could they do the same with Justin Houston this time around?