Justin Houston, Ravens Agree on Reported 1-Year Contract Worth Up to $4M

Joseph Zucker @@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVJuly 31, 2021

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 20: Justin Houston #50 of the Indianapolis Colts in action in the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Justin Casterline/Getty Images

The Baltimore Ravens agreed to terms on a deal with veteran pass-rusher Justin Houston, pending a physical, on Saturday.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Houston's deal is for one year and will be worth up to $4 million in 2021. Houston reportedly "turned down significantly more money from other teams in order to pursue a championship with the Ravens."

The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec provided the specifics of the contract:

Jeff Zrebiec @jeffzrebiec
Ravens have agreed to a 1-year deal with Justin Houston that will pay him a base salary of $1.075 million and also includes $1 million signing bonus, per source. Additional incentives in deal based on Pro Bowl and sacks.

CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora reported he had contacted Ravens head coach John Harbaugh to express his desire to join the team and that the Ravens were his preferred landing spot.

Houston spent his first eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. He generated some intrigue Friday when he shared a series of photos from a workout, some of which showed him wearing a Chiefs helmet.

While not quite reaching the heights he enjoyed during his 2014 All-Pro season, when he led the NFL with 22 sacks, the 32-year-old remained productive off the edge during his time with the Indianapolis Colts. He totaled 19 sacks and 21 tackles for loss in 32 appearances.

Entering the offseason, Pro Football Focus ranked him as the No. 140 free agent:

"Houston still flashes his ability, as he can get offensive tackles off-balanced with his length and good technique, but the days of accumulating 50-plus pressures in a season appear to be in the past. Even in the run game, Houston took a step back in 2020. On the other hand, Houston is just one year removed from an 87.1 overall grade while playing just over 40 plays per game, and he may have something to offer in a rotational role."

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Especially for what he stands to make, Houston could be a nice bargain for Baltimore.

The Ravens were 14th in sacks (39) in 2020 and lost the pair of Matthew Judon and Yannick Ngakoue, the former leading the team in sacks with six while making his second straight Pro Bowl.

The front office addressed their departures by selecting Penn State edge-rusher Odafe Oweh with the 31st overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. Houston's arrival will further solidify the front seven.