Justin Houston not likely participating in offseason program

This comes as a shock to absolutely nobody, but Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston is not expected to be present when the team begins its offseason program. Houston, who was given the franchise tag, is angling for a long-term deal and is not happy with the present situation, according to Herbie Teope of Chiefs Digest.

Houston is obviously a massive piece of the puzzle for Kansas City’s defense. Last year, Houston posted a franchise-record 22 sacks, only a half-sack off the NFL mark set by Michael Strahan.

So why can’t general manager John Dorsey and Houston’s agent, Joel Segal, come to an agreement? Joel Corry of CBS Sports spelled it out to Teope.

"“The big problem is (Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong) Suh’s deal is likely to impact what he wants,” Corry said during a telephone interview. “That’s why if the Chiefs thought Suh was going to sign a blockbuster deal, they should’ve tried to strike a deal with Houston before that. If I’m representing him, I’m saying whatever I was asking before this deal is now obsolete and my new offer is going to reflect the change in the market place.”"

This is not a big deal at the moment. Houston is not going anywhere unless another team makes an offer. In that case, the Chiefs would have a week to match the offer or allow Houston to leave, netting two first-round draft picks. Considering no team has let a player walk in this situation since Joey Galloway signed with the Dallas Cowboys almost 15 years ago, odds are good that Houston will be back.

Still, it is a situation which obviously bears monitoring. If no deal is struck and Houston holds out of training camp, we have a problem.