Chiefs Discussing Trades Involving OLB Justin Houston, Teams Showing “Real Interest”

Update:

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media confirms that the Chiefs have discussed trades involving veteran OLB Justin Houston and teams have been calling and expressing “real interest” in acquiring him from Kansas City. 

Rapoport explains that Houston’s cap figure and the likelihood of them tagging OLB Dee Ford has led them to make Houston available.

According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, the Chiefs discussing potential trades involving veteran OLB Justin Houston at the Scouting Combine.

Houston’s status with the Chiefs is clearly in question. 

Last weekend, Matt Verderame of Fansided reported that Houston is unlikely to be back in Kansas City for the 2019 season.

Verderame mentioned that his understanding of the situation is that the Chiefs aren’t keeping both Houston and Dee Ford, but Houston is unwilling to restructure his contract if it doesn’t include more guaranteed money.

Instead, Verderame says the Chiefs are leaning toward franchising Ford at $15.8 million guaranteed for the 2019 season and releasing Houston, which would result in $14 million of cap savings.

Houston, 30, is a former third-round pick of the Chiefs back in 2011. He’s currently in the fifth year of his six-year, $101 million contract that included $52.5 million guaranteed and stands to make base salaries of $15.25 million and $17 million over the next two years.

According to OverTheCap.com, trading Houston will free up $14 million of available cap space while creating $7.1 million in dead money. 

In 2018, Houston appeared in 12 games for the Chiefs and recorded 37 tackles, nine sacks, an interception, five forced fumbles and a pass defense. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 14 edge rusher out of 103 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding Houston as the news is available.