Chiefs hope to sign Justin Houston to long-term deal

Chiefs hope to sign All-Pro linebacker Justin Houston to a long-term deal

Kansas City Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt says he is hoping that the team can reach a long-term deal with All-Pro linebacker Justin Houston.

The Chiefs used the franchise tag on Houston earlier this month. The tag will pay Houston $13.195 million this season unless the two sides can agree to a deal. Houston has yet to sign the tag, and Kansas City has until July 15 to reach a deal with the three-time Pro Bowler.

[daily_cut.nfl]

“I’ve been very consistent in saying that we not only value Justin as a football player, that we not only value Justin as a person and leader, and we want him to be a Chief for life,” Hunt said to the Kansas City Star.

Houston, 26, had 68 total tackles, four forced fumbles and an NFL-high 22 sacks last season, just a half-sack short of Michael Strahan's NFL record set in 2001.

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“I’ve said in the past and I’ll say it now, I consider Justin Houston a Kansas City Chief, I don’t see him going anywhere,” Chiefs general manager John Dorsey said, according to the Kansas City Star.

“He knows, and his agent knows, how much we want him back,” Hunt added. “We just all have to be patient, and eventually, we’re going to get him signed to a long-term deal.”

Houston was the NFL’s top-rated 3-4 outside linebacker, according to Pro Football Focus, and has 48.5 sacks in his four seasons in the NFL.

- Scooby Axson