The Chiefs did not boast a collectively strong defense, but three of their front-seven pieces are capable of high-end production. However, one of those has a quarterback-level cap number.
Justin Houston‘s name has come up in trade talks, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). The 30-year-old outside linebacker has generated “real interest” around the league, per Rapoport.
Dee Ford is set to receive the franchise tag, which will be a $17MM-plus commitment. Houston’s cap figure is $21.1MM — the highest number on the Chiefs’ 2019 payroll. Houston signed a six-year, $101MM contract at the 2015 franchise tag deadline. However, like Eric Berry, he has not delivered the kind of work the Chiefs hoped for after agreeing to the mammoth re-up.
Houston has been effective since signing that agreement, but in 2014, he registered 22 sacks. He has not surpassed 10 sacks in a season since. Knee and hamstring injuries have slowed him as well. Houston did grade as a top-15 edge defender last season, per Pro Football Focus. Kansas City is moving to a 4-3 scheme under Steve Spagnuolo, but with teams largely lined up in nickel, a scheme switches do not require the level of personnel adjustments they once did.
If Houston were to be dealt, the Chiefs would have a massive hole at edge rusher. As dominant as Ford showed he could be last season, he has not been especially consistent throughout his career. The Chiefs drafted Tanoh Kpassagnon and Breeland Speaks in the past two second rounds. While the three-time reigning AFC West champions would seemingly be in the market for a Houston replacement, if a trade goes through, one of these backups could be looked upon as a cheap successor.
The Chiefs have $28MM-plus in cap space but have two candidates for expensive extensions in Chris Jones and Tyreek Hill, the latter possibly in position to become the NFL’s highest-paid wide receiver. Keeping Houston may mean a pay cut, with his production no longer matching his salaries. While the Raiders received two first-round picks for Khalil Mack, who soon signed the richest contract for a defender in NFL history, the Chiefs would not be looking at that kind of haul for Houston when factoring in his age and injury history.
Straight up for Antonio Brown.
The whole point in trading Houston is to clear up cap space, and doesn’t make much sense from the Steelers perspective AB even with his baggage is still a top WR, Houston on the other hand isn’t The pass rusher he once was.
They have hil and Watkins so that’s a stupid trade, because they have enough offense of weapon! They need defense
And that’s why you’re “The Truth.” The Chiefs don’t need a flashy, high-dollar offensive piece; they need to take care of the O but fix the defense. To fix the D, they need cap space.
Yea I was being sarcastic.
AB would just create more problems for the offense then what he is worth. I would prefer draft picks or maybe a CB or safety.
We’ll take Justin Houston for Dre Kirkpatrick
I mean if they could do that and then trade Watkins it honestly might not be a bad idea. They still clear a lot of cap room and they get better.
I see them trade Houston and berry, because both are getting up there and been hurt a lot these last couple of years
You may be on to something. Just hope the other teams don’t learn about your strategy of trading your old overpriced injured / injury prone players for other teams cheaper draft picks. Let me guess.. you’re the master at this with Madden?
Straight up for Tannehill!
Houston to Green Bay for a 3rd & a 5th. Good fit in Green Bay running the 3-4, and needing a pass rusher.
I don’t think it would take both pick since Houston is still owed a significant amount of $$$. I’d offer at most a 3rd rd pick for him.
At 21 mill not worth it,injuries 30 years old and hasnt produced since 2014..they already are over paying for perry for the exact same thing
Trading Houston is a good deal at this point.he has lost a few steps since his injuries and was not really a factor down the stretch.get what you can for him but don’t wait around forever,do it as soon as you can
I wouldn’t be suprised to see the Browns in the fray to acquire him
Chiefs should just send all their rejects down the same road that Kareem Hunt took.
I would trade a third for him if I was Pack.
Being they need an edge rusher I could see Houston going to the Giants for their top third round selection.
Make some cap room for le’veon
the guy has disappeared since signing big contract. they need to cut Berry