Chiefs, LB Justin Houston Still Talking

The Kansas City Chiefs and linebacker Justin Houston have yet to agree on a long-term deal but both sides have been discussing a possible contract extension, according to a report. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk is reporting that while talks are underway, the progress has not been significant and that there is no deal yet.

As per the report, according to NFL rules on franchise-tagged players like Houston, the Chiefs have a chance to sign the linebacker to a long-term deal until July 15, but afterward he can be given only a one-year deal if both sides can’t agree on a contract.

Houston, who made the NFL Pro Bowl three times from 2012 to 2014 and the NFL All-Pro First Team in 2014, is set to earn about $13.2 million in the upcoming season. Among all linebackers in the league, Houston is the highest-paid player in his position, with the likes of the Green Bay Packers’ Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers, Pittsburgh Steelers’ Lawrence Timmons and Chicago Bears’ Jared Allen all earning over $12 million per year.

Houston was the NFL’s leader in sacks with 22 in 2014. The 26-year-old is one of the key players in the Chiefs’ front seven. Houston, who was the Chiefs' third-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, has accumulated 234 tackles, 48.5 sacks, 7 forced fumbles and an interception in his four-year NFL career.