The Chiefs have put out trade feelers for both Justin Houston and Dee Ford. While it’s not known what kind of interest the team’s bookend pass rushers are drawing, the older member of this duo may be set to hit the market.
A report surfaced Monday indicating that Houston will be released, but NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets the Chiefs have yet to pull the trigger. However, that is the expected endgame here, per CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora (on Twitter). The franchise looks to still be trying to trade Houston, per Pelissero, hoping to take advantage of what has become a less flashy pass rusher market.
While Houston may not be attractive at a $15.25MM base salary, he figures to be in demand as a first-time free agent. The expected franchise tag recipients, including Ford, received news they will be tagged, opening the door for the second-tier pass rushers to top the true free agent market. Houston is more accomplished than any of those players, and despite his age (30) and recent history of injuries, the former All-Pro will generate interest.
If released, Houston stands to join Trey Flowers, Dante Fowler, Preston Smith, Za’Darius Smith and Ziggy Ansah as the market’s top edge defenders. Houston has played four seasons on the six-year, $101MM deal. He has not lived up to that price, and said contract calls for a $21.1MM cap number in 2019, failing to eclipse 10 sacks in a season since his 22-sack 2014 showing.
They better use that money saved for something exciting
This makes zero sense but in hindsite, the Chiefs recent moves seem to be correct; hope so on this one
Move on from Ford if you can trade him. There will be no dead cap money and you will get something back. If Chiefs cut Houston there will be dead money and no compensation. Houston is more injury-prone and older, but Ford has only had one good year. Can you say contract drive?
I agree with you. I don’t trust Dee Ford to stay healthy much less duplicate what he did last year. And financially it’s a better deal to keep Houston.
About time, Houston, and Berry, have not earned the money they signed for. They have alot of ability, just not availability which is the most important ability.
sure would look good on the colts
Broncos! Him, Von Miller and Bradley Chubb on the same team would be really scary.