Could Justin Houston still be an option for the KC Chiefs?

The K.C. Chiefs are in a bit of a predicament given the legal situation with defensive end Frank Clark. With very little proven depth at the defensive end position, the Chiefs are entering the month that training camp begins with some question marks at edge rusher. Given all of this, a familiar face in Justin Houston could be a great fit for the upcoming season.

It’s not secret that Justin Houston isn’t the same player that he once was, but if you even look at his numbers the past two seasons with the Colts, it’s clear he’s capable of producing and getting after the quarterback.

• 2019: 16 GP, 44 total tackles, 11 sacks, two forced fumbles, 13 TFL, and 18 QB hits.
• 2020: 16 GP, 25 total tackles, eight sacks, one forced fumble, eight TFL, and 12 QB hits.

As a 32 year old veteran, he still was able to total the same number of sacks as Clark had this past season in Kansas City. He would be a great addition to the Chiefs as a rotational piece on the defensive line and would be able to help mentor some of the younger players as well.

The Chiefs obviously liked rookie Joshua Kaindoh enough to grab him in the fourth round. They also have second-year defensive end Mike Danna, but both still have a ways to go. Kaindoh’s upside is crazy due to his elite frame, speed, and strength, but he lacks the technical part of his game and never put it all together at Florida State. That was one of the biggest downsides to his game was that he wasn’t always able to get off blocks.

As far as Danna goes, he showed a lot of promise last season, but he still struggled getting to the quarterback. Being able to sign Houston, who is still waiting to find a new home, would provide that security all season long while younger players are developing into dependable contributors.

I remember Tamba Hali post-game helping the Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa with his off-block swim move, and being able to obtain Houston could allow Houston to help out with some of the younger players on the line take the step forward we need. Houston is definitely going to be more productive than some of the younger guys who need time to develop, and the Chiefs need to take a measure to ensure they have enough valuable pieces at the edge position.

Although Houston did leave Kansas City to pursue other options, he will always be a beloved Chief. His career is slowly getting closer and closer to the end, and given how late it is in free agency, this could potentially be a short-term deal that would enable him to retire with the franchise.