Former KC Chiefs among top NFL free agents remaining
By Matt Conner
Justin Houston, LB
Raise your hand if you saw Justin Houston generating 33 more career sacks outside of Kansas City—and all on the other side of 30 years of age. (Put your hand down because no one will believe you.)
It's frustrating that Houston and the Chiefs left things so sour that some sort of middle ground hasn't been found over the years, because it's not as if Kansas City hasn't been searching for veteran pass rushers every single season since Houston left the team. That said, maybe there's still time for him to return to at least retire with the franchise.
Until that day, however, Houston deserves far more credit than he's received as a veteran who is aging like fine wine at a tough position. He's No. 18 overall in total sacks since leaving the Chiefs, giving him more than names like Joey Bosa, Danielle Hunter, DeForest Buckner, Khalil Mack and more!
Maybe Houston likes to wait this long in free agency to decide what he wants to do the following year but that kind of consistent production and reliability at the position should make Houston a greater priority. One more season like the ones he's enjoyed since leaving K.C. should put him within range of the top 20 or so most productive pass rushers in NFL history. Pretty incredible for a guy deciding on last-minute offers from the Ravens or Colts year after year.