The Kansas City Chiefs are doing what they can to make a deal happen with All-Pro outside linebacker Justin Houston. With the July 15 deadline approaching for Houston and the team to reach a long-term deal, general manager John Dorsey has made a major offer to the superstar, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Of all franchise tag situations, Justin Houston & #Chiefs have the most optimism. Nothing is certain, but they have made a big commitment
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 14, 2015
Houston has reportedly been wanting money akin to what J.J. Watt got last year from the Houston Texans. Watt signed a six-year, $100 million deal with $48 million guaranteed, something that does not seem unfair for a player who broke the franchise single-season sacks record with 22 last campaign.
If the Chiefs can sign Houston, it will be good business for them on many levels. For starters, they lock up the best pass-rusher and linebacker in the game today. Additionally, it is one less headache going forward and it shows not only his teammates, but star players around the league, that Kansas City takes care of talent.
Perhaps the most underrated part is what all of this means for the rest of the defense going forward. Going into the season, the Chiefs have Sean Smith, Husain Abdullah, Tamba Hali, Mike DeVito, Eric Berry, Tyvon Branch and Derrick Johnson all on the last years of their current contracts. If the Houston deal can be put away before tomorrow’s 3 p.m. CST deadline, Kansas City could use the franchise tag on one of those players instead of slapping it on Houston once more.
We will keep you posted on all the latest news until either a deal happens or the deadline passes right here on Arrowhead Addict. Afterwards, we will have reaction either way.