Justin Houston Signs Massive Deal

[Knight of God]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000501685/article/chiefs-sign-justin-houston-to-longterm-deal

Deadlines spur action.

The Chiefs and franchised-tagged outside linebacker Justin Houston nailed down a long-term deal before Wednesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline.

Houston inked a six-year, $101 million deal that includes $52.5 million in guarantees, NFL Media's Albert Breer and Rand Getlin report.

The contract is the richest deal in Chiefs' history and largest for any linebacker.

Houston was reported to want J.J. Watt-type money. He got it, earning slightly more than Watt's six-year, $100 million deal that came with $30.9 million guaranteed.

Houston's deal is also the second-largest contract ever for a defensive player, behind only Ndamukong Suh. Houston becomes one of five non-quarterbacks to make $16 million per season -- Watt, Suh, Calvin Johnson and Mario Williams.

Houston earned 22 sacks in 2014, falling just half a sack shy of the NFL single-season record.

While Houston goes overlooked by his colleagues -- No. 27 in the player's 2015 Top 100 list -- and most of the general populous, his new contract empathically exhibits his worth to the Chiefs and proclaims his status as one of the premiere sack masters in the NFL.

The 26-year-old plays a pivotal role in a Chiefs defense that relies on pressuring the quarterback with its front seven. With Houston's future secure, he can roll into 2015 with confidence, chasing Michael Strahan's single-season sack record and backing up his proclamation that he is part of the best pass-rushing duo in the NFL.