When looking ahead to the 2019 season, there are a lot of questions the Kansas City Chiefs will have to answer. The biggest ones, however, surround the future of the Chiefs pass rush.
The Kansas City Chiefs had one of the best pass rushing duos in the NFL in 2018. Justin Houston finished the season with nine sacks while his partner in crime Dee Ford racked up a whopping 13 sacks.
Despite the regular season production, neither guy came close to sniffing Tom Brady in the AFC Championship Game and that proved to be the difference. The lack of pass rush in that game allowed Brady to do basically whatever he wanted.
Even with the dominant performances in 2018, it’s a legitimate possibility that the Chiefs opt to move on from both Houston and Ford. Ford finished out his fifth year with the Chiefs and unless slapped with the franchise tag, will be a free agent.
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With 13 sacks under his belt in 2018, Ford will get a big contract on the open market should he get there. The Chiefs know Ford better than anyone and his previous four seasons were less than stellar. That’s what would make me say “No thanks” if I were Brett Veach and had to make this decision.
As for Houston, he received a gigantic contract prior to the 2015 season. He’s yet to play all 16 games in a season since signing that deal, but this year he showed that when he’s healthy, he’s an effective pass rusher.
If the Chiefs parted ways with Houston this offseason, they’d have $7,100,000 in dead money, per Spotrac. If they opt to keep him around, they’d owe him $15,250,000 for the 2019 season. Even with the nine sacks last season, it’s very possible that cutting Houston, or maybe attempt to restructure his contract, is what happens this offseason.
The Chiefs led the NFL in sacks in 2018, so getting rid of both of the pass rushers who helped make that happen would be crazy. It makes sense, however, as Ford had one good year during his time as a Chief and it could definitely be argued that Houston isn’t worth the dough he’s making.
Both players have struggled with injuries throughout their careers too. That could ultimately be why Veach and the front office feel comfortable making these moves, if they do indeed part ways with these two guys.
If Kansas City moves on from Justin Houston and Dee Ford, who is there to pick up the pieces? They’d have to draft two pass rushers or hope that Breeland Speaks or Tanoh Kpassagnon can step into those roles at some point.
What do you think, Chiefs fans? Would you move on from Houston, Ford, both, or would you keep the two of them in town?