Eight-year NFL veteran outside linebacker Justin Houston signed a two-year, $24 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts on Friday, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Houston, a Georgia product, spent the entirety of his NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Colts are giving Justin Houston a two-year, $24 million contract, per source. https://t.co/gd02EM2YrF
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 21, 2019
Indianapolis Colts Sign Justin Houston to Two-Year Deal
Justin Houston appeared in 12 games during the 2018, starting each one. During his time on the field, Houston recorded 9.0 sacks, 37 tackles, 12 quarterback hits, and one interception. Additionally, Kansas City’s longtime pass rusher played in both playoff games, recording two sacks and four tackles in the postseason. The Chiefs released their longtime pass rusher to save $14 million in salary cap space.
Houston initially joined the NFL as a third-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Selected by the Kansas City Chiefs, Houston appeared in all 16 games as a rookie, starting 10. During his time on the field, Houston recorded 5.5 sacks, 56 tackles, and nine quarterback hits.
Houston built on his encouraging rookie season with one of the better four-year stretches in recent memory. From 2012 to 2015, Houston recorded 50.5 sacks, 177 tackles, 71 quarterback hits, seven forced fumbles, and three interceptions. Houston earned Pro Bowl nods in each of these seasons, but his best year came in 2014. Playing in all 16 games, Houston recorded a league-leading 22 sacks, 68 tackles, 25 quarterback hits, and four forced fumbles. His stellar play earned him First-Team All-Pro honors for the first time in his career.
Houston has played in just 32 of a possible 48 games since the start of the 2016 season. Over that timeframe, the former third-round pick has recorded 22.5 sacks, 94 tackles, and 38 quarterback hits to go along with five forced fumbles and one interception. Throughout the course of his eight-year career, Houston has recorded 78.5 sacks, 381 tackles, and 118 quarterback hits. Only three players have more sacks than Houston since the start of the 2011 NFL season.
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