Justin Houston receives interest from numerous teams in free agency

Former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston was one of the team’s most feared pass rushers for several years before being allowed to leave in free agency just a couple years ago. Now in the twilight of his career, a reunion with the Chiefs could make sense to rebuild some bridges and meet a team need.

Then again, other teams are certainly willing to get in the way.

According to NFL reporter Jason La Canfora, Houston has no shortage of suitors right now. Despite waiting around in free agency to sign with a new team, Houston is apparently taking a patient approach himself. In short, we shouldn’t be so quick to read into the absence of a signing on his part. Of course, all of this is likely agent-speak to La Canfora, who is parroting talking points to make it sound as if Houston is in great demand.

When the Chiefs let Houston walk a couple years ago to the Indianapolis Colts, it felt as if Houston’s best years were behind him and that consistent productivity could be a problem. That’s not to say that he wasn’t valuable, but his price tag combined with a new scheme fit under Steve Spagnuolo along with his advancing age came together to make the Chiefs’ decision to move on.

Over the last couple seasons, however, Houston has put up memorable years in Indianapolis as one of the Colts’ best pass rushers. After averaging just under 11 games in each of his last three seasons in K.C., Houston has started every single game over the last two seasons for the Colts and put up 53 pressures and 19 sacks in that span.

Questions about scheme fit still exist around Houston, who wouldn’t be the sort of cornerstone at defensive end for the Chiefs in Spags’ system. However, he can be a rotational pass rusher with the sort of technique, burst, and experience that can still disrupt on passing downs. Given his history with the team as well, his arrival could make some sense for the Chiefs, who face questions at the position even before Frank Clark’s recent run-ins with the law. Then again, other teams are clearly interested as well.

The Colts recently decided to move on with a youth movement themselves at pass rusher, which means Houston is waiting with the likes of Everson Griffen and Melvin Ingram in free agency. There are a few aging pass rushers on the open market and how things will play out for each will be interesting to follow.