Justin Houston, Chiefs Agree on New Contract: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

The Kansas City Chiefs slapped the franchise tag on linebacker Justin Houston back in March, but the team still had the opportunity to negotiate a long-term contract, and that's exactly what it did.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Chiefs agreed to a six-year, $101 million deal with the 26-year-old, with $52.5 million guaranteed. Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports confirmed the report. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports broke down the numbers:

Houston tweeted his thoughts on the deal and thanked his family, Chiefs fans and the team:

Following the announcement, the Chiefs shared an image of Houston signing his new deal:

Schefter noted the deal was the richest in Chiefs history and the richest ever given to a linebacker. Pro Football Talk pointed out it was the second-richest deal ever given to a defensive player, behind only defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh's contract with the Miami Dolphins. Rich Hill of PatsPulpit.com pointed out Houston becomes one of six non-quarterbacks to get a deal worth more than $100 million.

Houston said it was important to stay in Kansas City, according to Herbie Teope of Chiefs Digest. 

“I knew if I was flying out here, they wouldn’t have me fly out here for nothing," Houston said, per Teope, "At the end of the season, they told me just to be patient and we'd get it done."

Houston said his motivation was to become "one of the best ever to play the game," per B.J. Kissel of KCChiefs.com. 

“Once you get paid, it’s not like you won the lottery. You have to keep working," Houston said, per Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star. 

"As we’ve said from beginning, Justin the player and the person is someone we wanted to be a part of our organization," Chiefs general manager John Dorsey said, according to Kissel. "This is a great day for the Kansas City Chiefs."

"I think it's a fair deal for everyone here," Dorsey continued, per Kissel.

"Justin has a relentless work ethic on the field and in classroom, and he provides our team with tremendous leadership," head coach Andy Reid said, per Kissel. 

Joel Corry of CBS Sports noted that despite the contract's huge numbers, Kansas City should save $5 million toward the cap because of the structure of the deal. In fact, Dorsey said he feels like the team has enough cap space "to do more deals," according to Paylor.

Ideally, the franchise tag is supposed to reward players who had great seasons.

In practice, the franchise tag is generally a means by which a team can ensure a key piece isn't able to leave in free agency. It sometimes alienates the player on whom it's being used since he has his hands tied a bit. Either he doesn't want to stay with his current team or he wants a big contract that isn't coming.

From the beginning, the Chiefs maintained that the franchise tag wasn't supposed to be the endgame with regard to Houston.

Upon announcing the team had tagged its defensive star, Dorsey indicated in a statement, via ESPN.com, that a long-term deal was the ultimate goal:

"

Justin is a talented player and a key contributor to our defense. Today was the deadline to designate a franchise player, and it was in the best interest of the club to place the tag on Justin. We will continue to discuss long-term options with him and his agent. Our goal is to reach a deal that is mutually beneficial. We want to keep Justin in a Chiefs uniform for years to come.

"

Even before that, team owner Clark Hunt was adamant that Houston play out his career in Kansas City, per Paylor:

By locking up Houston for six years, the Chiefs are avoiding the kind of headaches that can come with the franchise tag, such as a prolonged holdout.

Houston received the long-term contract he deserves, while Kansas City is keeping around one of its best players. The team would've been in serious trouble if he decided to no-show at practices or even games in protest.

Houston is coming off the best season of his career. He led the NFL in sacks with 22 and made the All-Pro team for the first time. It was the culmination of the last four years, in which he has emerged as one of the league's elite pass-rushers.

According to ESPN Stats & Info, only J.J. Watt has disrupted more dropbacks between 2013 and 2014:

Pro Football Focus added that Houston has received the highest grade of any outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme since 2011:

He won't turn 27 until January. He's in the prime of his career, and his career progression indicates 2014 wasn't a fluke.

Expecting Houston to get 22 sacks again is probably a bit unrealistic. Even Watt's sack total dropped by almost half after his breakout 2012 campaign.

Houston should, however, remain among the NFL's best when it comes to getting after the quarterback.