Justin Houston Signs 6-Year, $101M Deal With Kansas City Chiefs

Justin Houston defends Philip Rivers — San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) passes under pressure from Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston (50) in the second quarter during a game in San Diego in 2012. Reuters/Mike Blake

The Kansas City Chiefs have agreed to sign Justin Houston to a six-year, $101 million deal, beating Wednesday’s deadline for contract extensions this offseason.

Albert Breer from the NFL Network tweeted the update, adding that Houston’s deal has $32.5 million guaranteed during the time of the signing. A separate report from ESPN stated that the entire guaranteed value of the deal totals $52.5 million.

Justin Houston's six-year, $101 million deal has $32.5 million fully guaranteed at signing. Folds in the tag, so it runs through 2020.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) July 15, 2015

As full guarantees go, Justin Houston's $32.5 million is short of Ndamukong Suh ($60.0M), Darrelle Revis ($39M), but beats JJ Watt ($30.87M)
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) July 15, 2015

Houston’s deal will last until 2020, and the 26-year-old linebacker is on track to become the highest-paid player in the franchise’s history and the highest-ever for a linebacker in NFL’s history.

Houston will also become the second highest-paid NFL defensive player after Miami Dolphins’ Ndamukong Suh, who signed a six-year $114 million contract with $59.95 guaranteed earlier in the 2015 offseason.

Houston, who was a third round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, has played the last four seasons with Kansas City and has been named to the NFL Pro Bowl three times (2012-2014). An NFL First Team All-Pro member in 2014, Houston had 68 tackles, 22 sacks and four forced fumbles for the Chiefs last season.