Dispelling the myths: The Chiefs and Justin Houston
By Ben Almquist
Sep 14, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston (50) during the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Reason #7: I’m just frustrated that the deal isn’t done yet, and I’m worried that this really great player will be with the Chiefs after this year!
From the beginning, John Dorsey has expressed nothing but confidence in getting a deal done. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Now, we’re getting somewhere. The TRUTH behind all of the trade/move on from Houston talk. It’s a frustrating situation. Why can’t they just sign?!
Well, here is the reason, and it’s a pretty simple one…it makes no sense for Houston to sign right now. Houston and his agent want the best deal they can get, and they have until July 15th to get it. So why would it make any sense to sign a deal before then? They will wait until the last possible moment, just in case some team comes calling with a bigger contract. And you know what will happen in that situation? Houston’s agent will simply get John Dorsey on the phone and ask the Chiefs to beat it. Because no matter what, the goal of Houston’s camp is to get the Chiefs to beat whatever offer is on the table. This negotiation is the Chiefs’ to lose.
It’s a frustrating situation. Nobody is claiming otherwise. But you have to understand that this is hardly unprecedented. In fact, the Chiefs have really set the bar on this kind of thing with Derrick Thomas and Tamba Hali. Why shouldn’t we be extending that treatment to the guy that has already started knocking them out of the record books?
And the Chiefs brass seems to feel the same way. Across the board from Owner to General Manager to Head Coach, they have all been on board with Houston remaining with the Chiefs. No cracks. No ambiguous talk. No doubts. From the beginning, John Dorsey has expressed confidence, like when he said: “Like I’ve said all along, I envision Justin being a Chief.”
So the best advice that Chiefs fans can hold onto right now is simple…be patient. The Chiefs feel that this contract is going to get done, and they know a little bit more about it than any of us do right now.