Chiefs Use “Nonexclusive” Franchise Tag On Justin Houston

Update:

Pro Football Talk reports that the Chiefs are using the “nonexclusive” franchise tag on OLB Justin Houston.

The “nonexclusive” tag would require a team that signed Houston to a tender to surrender two first-round picks in the event the Chiefs declined to match their offer.

According to PFT, Houston will consult with the NFLPA and decide whether or not to file a grievance that he should be considered a defensive and not a linebacker.

Joel Corry points out that Houston will have a very difficult time arguing that he should be paid like a defensive based on where he lined up in recent years.

Mike Garafolo mentions that Houston is unlikely to sign his franchise tag anytime soon.

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ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Kansas City Chiefs have officially placed their franchise tag on OLB Justin Houston.

This comes as no surprise given that recent reports had said that talks regarding a long-term contract haven’t picked up in recent days.

The Chiefs have limited cap space to work with, so there is still a decent incentive to get a long-term agreement in place that would keep him in Kansas City for the foreseeable future.

Houston, 25, recorded 68 tackles, 22  sacks, four forced fumbles and five pass defenses over the course of 16 games. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 1 outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense this year by a wide margin.

We had Houston listed as the No. 1 player in our Top 100 Free Agents list.