The Kansas City Chiefs and Justin Houston have been talking about a new contract in free agency this offseason and so far the two sides have not been able to agree on a new deal moving forward and Houston could look at holding out through training camp and may sign his franchise tag tender over a long term contract for head coach Andy Reid.
Houston is coming off of a career year and so far the team and Houston have not come close on a new contract. The Chiefs used the franchise tag on Houston and he will get over $13 million for this season if he signs the one year tender. Jason Pierre-Paul and Houston both have been hit with the franchise tag and they are watching as Cameron Jordan got a new long term deal and that is what they likely will be asking for.
According to Pro Football Talk, the two sides are currently talking, but they have "not made significant progress" on negotiations. Houston had 22 sacks last season and now the two sides have until July 15 to reach a long term contract. Pro Football Talk writes that Houston has the ability to holdout through the season if he wants, as he could get the "prorated portion of the $13.1 million" by going through 10 weeks of the season. While that is an extreme result, it could happen if Houston feels he is not getting what he is worth.
The Kansas City Star reports Houston has not shown up for offseason workouts as the two sides work on a deal, which is different than what Dez Bryant is doing in Dallas. Houston comes in after doubling his career high in sacks last season with 22 and he also had a career best 68 tackles and four forced fumbles. Houston is a high impact player and he has had at least 10 sacks in each of the past three seasons, including 11 in 2013 before busting out with a big year in 2014.
The Chiefs took Chris Conley in the draft and they also added Jeremy Maclin this offseason and they feel that will help improve the offense in the passing game. The team has gone over a year without a WR making a touchdown catch and that likely will change with Maclin in the fold. The team has a great one-two punch with Jamaal Charles and Knile Davis and the Chiefs hope the offense can be better with Alex Smith signed long term moving forward.
