After slapping the franchise tag on All-Pro defensive end Justin Houston, the Kansas City Chiefs had a small window to sign him, and they did. In a big way.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter the Chiefs agreed to a six-year, $101 million deal with the 26-year old, with $52.5 million guaranteed. Jason La Canfora of CBS sports broke down the numbers of the deal.
Huge $ for Justin Houston: $21.5M in 2015, $43m by March 2016. $52.5M total by March 2017. $32.5M full guar. $52.5m guar for injury. Wow
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) July 15, 2015
Houston tweeted out his appreciation once the deal was signed, sealed and delivered.
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
Schefter noted the deal was the richest in Chiefs history, and the richest ever given to a linebacker. Houston’s contract is the second richest by a defensive player behind Miami Dolphins’ Ndamukong Suh.
Joel Corry of CBS Sports noted that despite the contract’s huge numbers, Kansas City would actually save $5 million toward the cap because of the structure of the deal.
Houston is coming off the best season of his career. He led the NFL in sacks with 22, and made the All-Pro team for the first time. It was the culmination of the last four sesaons, in which he emerged as one of the league’s elite pass-rushers.
King Jut (@KingJut92)
