Justin Houston released by Kansas City Chiefs

Veteran outside linebacker Justin Houston has been released by the Kansas City Chiefs, the club announced on Sunday afternoon.

After several days of rumors of his potential exit, the Kansas City Chiefs made it official with the release of Justin Houston on Sunday.

The veteran pass rusher had been placed on the trade block this offseason due to the Chiefs salary cap situation and their readiness to move forward. Houston’s contract was simply too much money for the Chiefs to bare heading into the 2019 season. After trying to restructure the contract to no avail, the Chiefs thought it would be best to release Houston, who spent his first eight seasons with the team.

Throughout his career, Houston accounted for 382 tackles, 78.5 sacks, and 4 interceptions. His most triumphant season came in the 2014 campaign, where he notched 22 sacks in a single season, just 0.5 sacks shy of legendary pass rusher Michael Strahan’s record. He ranks fourth on the team’s all-time sack leaders list.

Despite his release, Houston should have no problem finding work and even making good money given the fact that he is still an above average pass rusher in the NFL. Last year Houston had 9 sacks for the Chiefs and took away attention to help open up space for Dee Ford to operate from the other side and earn a career-high 13 sacks.

For the Chiefs, the loss of Houston and a potential trade of Ford leaves the team relying on young, unproven pass rushers to anchor the edges in Steve Spagnuolo’s new defensive scheme. The team can only hope Tanoh Kpassagnon and Breeland Speaks are ready to make a serious push alongside Chris Jones in the interior.