Chiefs, Houston reach 6-year, $101 million deal

Houston will be in Kansas City for six years, signing a contract worth $101 million, including $52.5 million guaranteed, according to multiple sources.

The ESPN report said it was the second richest deal in National Football League history behind only Ndamukong Suh’s contract.

The 26-year-old linebacker had 22 sacks last season, just short of the single-season record.

While wide receivers Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas have created the most franchise tag drama, Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston is the player who cashed in first. He was a third-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. As we’ve said from the beginning, Justin the football player, and the person, is someone we wanted to be a part of our organization.

When he eventually returns to the field for the Chiefs this season, Houston believes he and teammate Tamba Hali will make up the best pass-rushing duo in the NFL.

Potentially lost in the contract discussion between the Chiefs and Houston’s agent, Joel Segal, is how they two sides conducted business.

The sides were said to be nowhere close to agreement on a long-term contract in March, when the Chiefs designated Houston as their franchise player. For that small price, Kansas City got 200 tackles, 48 1/2 sacks and five fumble recoveries.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid added: “John, Joel and their staffs did a great job of getting this deal done”.

Houston has also grown into one of the leaders in the locker room, helping keep things together when a rash of injuries struck last season.

“I’d say so. I think everybody should think the same way”, Houston told the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer’s Hayes Rule at a charity event.

Dorsey declined to address the specific terms of the contract, though its long-term nature means the Chiefs should receive some salary cap relief. “I feel that we have enough flexibility to where we’ll be able to do more deals”.