Oct 26, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston (50) celebrates after sacking St. Louis Rams quarterback Austin Davis (9) (not pictured) during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 34-7. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
The 2015 NFL Draft is in the books, and depending on which person you talk to, the Kansas City Chiefs either cleaned up, or still have areas to improve.
Now the draft has concluded, we focus on the the biggest question still swirling around the Chiefs: what is next with Justin Houston?
There was a slight chance that Houston, under the non-exclusive franchise tag, could have received a deal from another team for the Chiefs to match if they chose. If the Chiefs decided not to match the deal offered, they would have received two first-round picks from the team he signed with. This led to some interesting draft talk that the Chiefs might have an extra first-round selection in 2015.
Dec 28, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston (50) celebrates after a sack against the San Diego Chargers in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Obviously this situation did not come to pass, and the Chiefs still have Justin Houston for the meantime. Now however, if a team extended an offer to the star linebacker , and the Chiefs chose not to match, Kansas City would receive the picks for 2016 and 2017.
There is still a chance that this could become the case and the Chiefs gain two first-round picks, that could be used to replace Houston. Replacing a player who accumulated 22 sacks, a half-sack from the record, would not be an easy task. The Chiefs have Dee Ford, their 2014 first-round pick, but he seems more like Tamba Hali’s replacement than Houston. Essentially though, the Chiefs would be giving up a sure-fire star for a promise of two potential star players. That sounds good or at least tolerable, until you remember that the Chiefs had to draft Eric Fisher No. 1 overall in 2013. The fact is, there’s no guarantees how strong a draft class will be.
Chiefs general manager John Dorsey, and Clark Hunt have both expressed they feel Kansas City will hang on to Houston for the long run. All KC’s efforts now should be focused on getting Houston the deal he deserves. Now the duration and amount of said contract is still hotly debated, but keeping him in the red of the Chiefs is the priority. Houston may cost the team some major money, but he is worth it in the end.
With OTAs and minicamps approaching, head coach Andy Reid will be busy preparing for the start of a new season. Dorsey must continue to work with Houston’s agent to secure him for many years to come. Hopefully the two sides will agree on a deal and SOON.
For now though, we fans sit in contract limbo, waiting to see if the Chiefs will hang on to Houston for the next several years.
Sound off, Addicts! Do you think the Chiefs and Houston will be able to come to terms? Let us know in the comments.
Thanks for reading.
Go Chiefs!