The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Monday that the club has placed the franchise tag on linebacker Justin Houston.
Justin Houston during the 2014 season.
"Justin is a talented player and a key contributor to our defense," Chiefs General Manager John Dorsey said. "Today was the deadline to designate a franchise player, and it was in the best interest of the club to place the tag on Justin. We will continue to discuss long-term options with him and his agent. Our goal is to reach a deal that is mutually beneficial. We want to keep Justin in a Chiefs uniform for years to come."
Houston (6-3, 258)has played in 59 games (53 starts) in four NFL seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs (2011-14). His career numbers include 248 tackles (216 solo), 48.5 sacks (-270.5 yards), 71 pressures and 19 passes defensed. He's added one interception, seven forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. In 2014, Houston recorded 22.0 sacks, just a half-sack shy of the NFL's all-time record. Houston originally entered the NFL as a third-round pick (70th overall) of the Chiefs in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played collegiately at Georgia and prepped at Statesboro High School in Statesboro, Georgia.
