Chiefs sign Justin Houston to reported six-year, $101 million deal

The Kansas City Chiefs have signed linebacker Justin Houston to a reported six-year, $101 million contract, making him the highest-paid linebacker in NFL history.

The Kansas City Chiefs have signed linebacker Justin Houston to a reported six-year, $101 million contract, making him the highest-paid linebacker in NFL history.

ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported the news and the terms of the deal. Houston will reportedly receive $52.5 million guaranteed, the richest contract in Chiefs history as well as the wealthiest deal for a linebacker ever. NFL.com's Ian Rapoport confirmed the news.

Schefter notes Houston is now the second-highest paid player ever, behind Ndamukong Suh's six year, $114 million contract with Miami signed in March. Kansas City and Houston had until 4 p.m. ET Wednesday to agree to a long-term contract, or be forced to wait until after the upcoming season.

In addition, Houston confirmed the news on Twitter.

Blessed to sign contract with the KC Chiefs. Thanks to my family #1 & my agents Joel Segal & @gbo74 for the awesome contract!

— Justin Houston (@JHouston50) July 15, 2015

The 26-year-old Houston led the NFL with 22 sacks last season, a half-sack short of Michael Strahan's all-time record, set in 2001 with the Giants. He added 68 tackles and four forced fumbles. He's accumulated 48.5 sacks in his first four seasons since being drafted in the third round out of Georgia in 2011.

• WATCH: Will Dallas, Dez agree before deadline?

In March, Kansas City designated Houston as its franchise player, which would have paid him upward of $13 million for the upcoming season. Houston declined to sign the tag and did not report to any of Kansas City's off-season workouts to date.

- Jeremy Woo