Justin Houston: Chiefs LB Says He Wants To Stay In Kansas City, Praises Andy Reid
By Brett Gering
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston is a nightmare with a heartbeat. He has wrecking balls for pupils and makes left tackles consider career changes.
Obviously, that kind of talent isn’t cheap—at least, not after its rookie contract expires.
Houston recently sat down with NFL Network’s Marshall Faulk, who asked if he wanted to remain in Kansas City or test the free-agent waters. Houston, per KCChiefs.com, reassured locals that he doesn’t plan on packing his bags anytime soon, saying:
"I would like to stay in Kansas City. Me and Coach Reid, we’ve got a [good] relationship going on. I think he’s a great coach. He’s part of the reason why I got 22 sacks. … He’d pull me off to the side, just keeping me motivated and always pushing me in practice, never letting me take days off, so I like the way he pushes me."
Faulk then switched gears, mentioning how many household names are associated with Kansas City’s front seven. Taking it a step further, Houston claimed that if Derrick Johnson—who, as No. 50 put it, “makes all the run plays”—would’ve been lined up alongside him, the Chiefs would’ve “won at least three of those games” that they let slip away.
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When asked about the key to Kansas City’s Super Bowl aspirations, the edge-rusher pointed to consistency, echoing the same sentiments as Tamba Hali. “We beat both [Super Bowl] teams,” Houston said, “…but we couldn’t stay consistent all year.”
If the All-Pro is franchised, CBS’ Jason La Canfora projects that it will make a $13.08 million dent in Kansas City’s salary-cap space (assuming that Houston isn’t classified as a defensive end). On the other hand, if the Pro Bowler inks a new deal, Spotrac projects it to be neighborhood of six years, $92.67 million (nearly $49 million guaranteed).
Regardless, considering that 15 Chiefs pocketed more money than him last year, Houston has earned every penny that comes his way.
Next: Senior Bowl, Super Bowl And Free Agents For The Chiefs