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Justin Houston Garnering Significant Interest In Free Agency

Originally posted on NFL Analysis Network
By Kenneth Teape | Last updated 5/17/23

There aren’t many players available in free agency in the NFL that are better than veteran defensive end Justin Houston. The third-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2011 has been a force for years. Despite just wrapping up Year 12 of his career, he continues to wreak havoc in opposing backfields.

Last year, Justin Houston’s market was slow to develop as well, so he returned to the Baltimore Ravens for another season. He improved his production across the board from 2021, picking up 9.5 sacks to go along with seven tackles for loss and 17 quarterback hits.

Justin Houston proved he had plenty left in the tank last season, but his market has been slow to develop again. However, with the 2023 NFL Draft now behind us, teams are beginning to show a lot of interest in him.

According to NFL Insider Matt Lombardo, Justin Houston is receiving significant interest from multiple teams around the league. He mentions the Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears as the best fits for the veteran pass rusher.

I’m told veteran pass rusher Justin Houston is receiving “significant interest” from multiple teams, per sources.

Houston, 34, is in no rush to make a decision and weighing his options. Last season, Houston produced 11 sacks and 39 total pressures | @HeavyOnSports pic.twitter.com/FkXlM7Bgc3
— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardoNFL) May 16, 2023

Teams can never have enough pass rushers, so it should be no surprise that he is receiving the interest that he is. If relationships and fences have been mended with the Chiefs, who released him in 2019, they make for a good landing spot as well.

However, Lombardo also noted that Justin Houston is going to take his time making a decision as he is in no rush and is weighing all of his options. Wanting to take his time making a decision isn’t overly surprising.

Now 34 years old, he has little to gain from signing early and attending all of the offseason activities and practices. In his career, Justin Houston has racked up 111.5 total sacks with 130 tackles for loss and 182 quarterback hits across 12 seasons with the Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts and Ravens.

This article first appeared on NFL Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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