Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
Contract details have been revealed for linebacker Justin Houston after it was announced Sunday he signed with the Carolina Panthers. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Houston’s deal is worth $7 million over one season with $6 million of that guaranteed.
The four-time Pro Bowl selectee will the entering the 13th NFL season of his career and will be suiting up for the fourth different franchise. But the 34-year-old showed he still has plenty of gas left in the tank after his performance for the Baltimore Ravens last season.
Houston started a career-low one game for the Ravens in 2022, but still appeared in 14 games and recorded his highest sack total in three seasons, ending the year with 9.5 sacks from his reserve pass-rushing role. He added 21 tackles to his stat line last season as well, also forcing two turnovers throughout the season with an interception and a forced fumble.
Houston spent two seasons with the Ravens following two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, which all came after an eight-year stint with the Kansas City Chiefs, who drafted him in the third round out of Georgia in 2011. He put together an impressive three-year career with the Bulldogs, recording 125 tackles (30 for loss), 20 sacks an interception and a forced fumble.
Houston immediately made an impact as a starter for the Chiefs. His time in Kansas City was highlighted by an impressive 2014 season where he led the NFL with 22 sacks, also achieving a career-high 68 tackles in the process. He earned First-team All-Pro honors and the Deacon Jones Award as well following his breakout year.
Houston may be past his prime, but can still play an impactful role on the Panthers’ defensive front. He’s tallied up 506 tackles, 111.5 sacks, and 19 forced fumbles throughout his NFL career, also tying the NFL all-time record for career safeties with four.
His ability to get after the quarterback will be much-needed for a Panthers defense that finished tied for sixth-worst in the league with 35 sacks. Carolina also brings back talented players such as Brian Burns, Frankie Luvu and Marquis Haynes, who combined for 24 of those 35 sacks a year ago.
The Panthers are coming off of a 7-10 season and entering a new era with Frank Reich taking over as head coach. They finished 4-2 over the final six games of the year and Houston will hope to help them keep that momentum going into 2023.
