9:52am: Houston has indeed joined the Ravens. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that the veteran pass rusher is signing with Baltimore. It will be a one-year deal worth up to $4MM for the veteran, and Schefter reiterates that Houston turned down higher-paying offers from rival teams. Meanwhile, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic tweets that Houston will earn a $1.075MM base salary and a $1MM signing bonus, and there’s an opportunity to ear another ~$2MM via Pro Bowl and sack incentives.
9:24am: Justin Houston is zeroing in on a suitor. Jason La Canfora reports (via Twitter) that the veteran defensive lineman recently reached out to Ravens head coach John Harbaugh “to convey a willingness to come to Baltimore.”
As La Canfora notes, the Ravens are Houston’s top choice, and it sounds like he’s willing to take a discount to make it happen. Houston is willing to sign for “considerably less than market,” and the player’s camp is ready to work with the organization with the understanding that the front office is dealing with cap constraints. As La Canfora tweets, the player had more lucrative offers on the table, but he ultimately turned down contracts from his many suitors.
We learned earlier this week that the pass rusher had a long list of potential suitors, with the Colts and Steelers mentioned as potential landing spots. Given Houston’s track record and newfound ability to stay healthy, it makes sense that he still has a market. The 32-year-old totaled 19 sacks in two Colts seasons, playing out a two-year, $23MM deal. His history with knee trouble notwithstanding, Houston did not miss a game as a Colt. Houston missed 26 games during his eight years with the Chiefs, but he was still plenty productive, collecting 78.5 sacks (including a 22-sack campaign in 2014).
The Ravens certainly have a need for a veteran pass rusher. The team lost Matt Judon, who led the 2020 squad with six sacks, in free agency, and the organization also lost the likes of Yannick Ngakoue and Jihad Ward.
Underrated signing.Shows what having a good organization can get you, good player for less money.LETS GO RAVENS
Houston is a good pass rusher. This is a good signing.
Right bro, could be the final piece tk the puzzle I believe we had it before. This is just icing on the cake =)
Ravens couldn’t have lucked out more..: yes!!!!
Steelers paid Ingram $5M after Houston stiffs them only to sign in BAL for less than half that.
Salty.
I guess Justin prefers to watch the Orioles in his free time rather than the Pirates but both are just awesome teams.
He didn’t want to play for the Steelers he wants a chance to WIN. It isn’t always about the $$$ late in a career.
I’d buy that argument had he signed with an actual contender.
Ravens look sexier on paper, but both will be fighting for 2nd behind the Brownies.
Thought the Ravens signed Jerry Rice for a minute
Excellent signing for the Ravens, even as a part-tine player Houston is still better than alot of players out there.
With Willis suspended, and with Ford a huge question mark, I really wanted the 49ers to sign him, but looks like Lynch, Kyle, Ryans, and Kocurek are okay with Bosa, Ebukam, Ford, and Arden Key as their primary EDGE options..
Hopefully, with the 49ers abundance of quality, impact players on the interior of their line, they’ll he able to take the pressure off of Bosa, Ford, Ebukam, and Key.
There aren’t many teams that can run off a talented list of DL like Armstead, Kinlaw, Dj Jones, Zach Kerr, Maurice Hurst, and Kevin Givens among others…