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KC Chiefs Make Justin Houston One of the Richest Players in NFL History

By Joel Wagler

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The KC Chiefs have signed star linebacker Justin Houston to one of the richest contracts in NFL history.

John Dorsey and the Kansas City Chiefs obviously worked hard to keep Justin Houston in a Chiefs uniform for the prime years of his career. Fans have to be thrilled this issue has been addressed before camp opens.

Minutes after Leigh Oleszczak posted a piece on the negotiations, the Kansas City Chiefs announced the deal with Houston. That article has been updated, but some interesting facts have emerged about the new contract.

RELATED ARTICLE: NO LOVE FOR JUSTIN HOUSTON

According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, Houston’s deal is for 6 years, $101 million, with $52 million in guaranteed money.

Schefter adds this nice tidbit about the Chief’s contract with Houston.

CBS NFL Insider Jason La Canfora breaks down the guaranteed money for us.

Houston seems thrilled with his new deal, as well he should be.

Houston came very close to breaking the NFL sack record last season when he recorded 22. He had 26.5 sacks in his previous three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs.

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He has also been a steady tackler in his time in the league, averaging 49.5 in four seasons. He’s never recorded fewer than 40. He has forced seven fumbles, and he has recovered five loose balls in his career and pulled in one interception.

Houston is going to be paid like a superstar. He was one in 2014; he will need to continue to do so to justify that paycheck.

The Chiefs now have locked down their key outside pass rusher for the foreseeable future and made him a very rich man. According to NFL Network reporter Albert Breer, Houston is just one of five non-quarterbacks to make an average of at least $16 million.

Houston should be the focal point of the defense in the upcoming years. He will have to deal with offenses game planning for ways to stop him. Houston and the Chiefs will need to find ways to free him up so he can apply pressure on the quarterback.

Tambi Hali is in the twilight of his career, and Dee Ford has yet to prove how much of an impact he may have on the defense.

Dontari Poe is a presence on the interior of the defense, and will become even more important as he will need to apply enough pressure to the pocket to take up multiple blockers.

Not everyone will think Houston is worthy of such a hefty payday. In the NFL’s Top 100 players, Houston ranked just 27th. NFL writer Dan Hanzus felt Houston was under ranked on this list, and could have been in the top 20.

His 22 sacks would suggest that is so.

Now, the Kansas City Chiefs have their defensive star wrapped up. Justin Houston is going to be on this team for years to come. Fans are thrilled, and the opposition is already at their drawing boards.

Next: Worst 10 Starters in the Last 10 Years

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