Justin Houston Is On Pace To Break Records, And The Bank

Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker, Justin Houston, is one of the best at his position, but we already knew that. What he’s doing this season though, could make him one of the best ever.

So far through 8 games, Houston has 12 sacks which makes him the NFL leader, and is on pace to break Michael Strahans previous record of 22 1/2 sacks in a single season. The other thing about Justin is that he isn’t just a one trick pony. He’s stout against the run with his 32 combined tackles, and has a good job of covering the flats on the rare occasion that he’s in coverage.

More from Kansas City Chiefs

Houston has very quickly solidified himself as not only the Chiefs best defender but one of the best in the league as well. A few years back, Tamba Hali was in a similar situation, playing for a contract and trying to establish his name in the NFL. Safe to say it worked, as he signed a 5 year extension worth $57.5 million and $35 million in guarantees. Houston is looking for something similar but with the way he’s playing, we could be talking about him being paid as one of the best all around players in the NFL.

Now, let me make this clear, I don’t think he’ll get J.J. Watt money (6 years, $96 million, $50 million guaranteed) nor do I think any defensive player in the NFL should get payed like that. Watt is playing at an entirely different level and has a serious case for MVP of the league, not just defensive MVP. But where the Chiefs are with Houston is become dangerously similar to what the Rams had with Robert Quinn last year.

Quinn finished last season with 19.5 sacks, earning himself a six-year, $65.5 million contract with $42.1 million guaranteed. With the type of production that Houston has had (38 1/2 sacks in his last 40 games) and what he’s currently doing this season, the Chiefs have no choice but to pony up the money to keep the incredibly talented 25 year old on their roster.

John Dorsey did a great job of getting the deal done with Alex Smith earlier this season, which gives the Chiefs the liberty to tag Houston at $13 million next year if something doesn’t get worked out. Obviously this past off season, Dorsey was focused on getting Alex Smith and Jamaal Charles extended, which in someways has hurt the negotiations with Houston and his agent.

The longer the Chiefs wait to strike a deal, the more expensive Houston is becoming.

Just for hypothetical conversation, let’s say Houston goes on and records 12 more sacks down these final eight weeks breaking the NFL record, earns himself NFL Defensive Player of the Year and makes another Pro-Bowl. How expensive do you think he becomes then?

The point is, the Chiefs are facing some serious decisions moving forward and most of them are on the defensive side of the ball. Eric Berry needs an extension, Dontari Poe is due for a payday soon, Tamba Hali isn’t getting any younger, or cheaper, and Dee Ford hasn’t shown the Chiefs a damn thing.

Houston is having the best season of his four year career and it couldn’t have come at a better time for him. Most players do show up big in their contract seasons but Houston has proven to be consistent at every level of his game.

So with any record Houston may break, the Chiefs must realize it’s also breaking their bank.

Home/Kansas City Chiefs