Justin Houston is staying in the AFC.
The Chiefs released Justin Houston after finding no suitable trade partners or a tenable solution to his massive 2019 cap charge. He’s received interest from a few teams in free agency, but took some time making his decision. Now his choice has been made.
The Colts have signed the former Chiefs linebacker to a two-year contract worth $24 million as first reported by Adam Schefter. He’ll look to earn back at least some of the money from his dead contract with the Chiefs.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard is quite familiar with the player given his history in Kansas City. He was even with the Chiefs during Houston’s monstrous 2014 season where he nearly broke the NFL single-season sack record. That level of comfort with Ballard combined with the fact that the Colts were in the thick of the AFC playoff race probably appealed to the former Chiefs outside linebacker.
During the 2018 season, Houston missed several games with injury but still finished the season with nine sacks, an interception, and five forced fumbles. The Colts have been looking to improve their pass rush and Houston should do just that for them.
The Chiefs play the Colts at home during the 2019 season, though we don’t yet know the date for the game. It should certainly be interesting watching Houston clash with the Chiefs.
