Justin Houston: ‘I’m ready to play ball’

After signing his six-year, $101 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday morning, Justin Houston spoke to the media via conference call. Houston spoke about the process and what has been going on behind closed doors in recent months and days, giving us some unique insight.

Houston, who has been on the franchise tag since February, knew that something might be in the works sooner rather than later.

“At the end of the season they told me be patient and we will get a deal done,” Houston said.

Houston did say that while he wasn’t sure how long a holdout would have lasted without a deal, he would have likely sat out through training camp. With a contract secure, Houston will be there to open camp with the rest of his teammates, playing on a team with high expectations.

“I think it was important to get it done, put it behind me and move forward.” He also added…

“I’m here now and we got the deal done so I’m ready to play ball.”

The All-Pro is coming off a career season in which he amassed 22 sacks to set a new single-season franchise record, breaking the mark of 20 set by Derrick Thomas in 1990. Houston was waiting to hear news like the rest of us when things began to break on Tuesday.

“I got a phone call yesterday saying I needed to come to KC while I was working out.”

The 2011 third-round pick out of the University of Georgia stated that he didn’t care whether he received more money than J.J Watt, leaving those details up to his agent, Joel Segal. The main thing was getting security and staying in Kansas City.

“To me it was very important,” Houston said. “I like coach Reid a lot. He’s a great coach. He motivates me and pushes me to be a better player. Any time you play for a coach like that, you love it.”