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NFL Free Agency 2019: 5 Best landing spots for Justin Houston

By Randy Gurzi

KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 12: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts tosses the ball after being sacked by Justin Houston #50 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the third quarter of the AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 12, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 12: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts tosses the ball after being sacked by Justin Houston #50 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the third quarter of the AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 12, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
(Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

The Kansas City Chiefs released outside linebacker Justin Houston on Monday. Here are the five best landing spots for the veteran pass rusher.

Back in 2014, Justin Houston was the best pass rusher in all of the NFL. He had just ripped off 22 sacks for the Kansas City Chiefs and was still in his prime. He then was hit with the franchise tag by the Chiefs, but they continued to work towards a deal.

Eventually, the two sides agreed to a six-year, $101 million contract with more than half of that being guaranteed. Both sides were happy with that contract, but Houston never replicated the success he had in 2014.

He’s also never played a full 16 games since that deal. Houston missed five games in 2015, 11 the following season and then just one in 2017. 2018 he was out for another four games, but he did have 9.5 sacks in 2017 and nine this past year.

That production may not be terrible, but it isn’t what the Chiefs were paying for. Due to that, they are set to release the veteran linebacker, as reported by FanSided’s Matt Verderame on Monday.

The news of his release isn’t shocking as his play has dropped below his pay. There have also been rumors for weeks about the Chiefs potentially trading Houston.

In the end, his contract was probably too much for any team to take on. That doesn’t mean he’s wont have suitors in free agency. Houston instantly becomes the hottest pass rusher on the market and should have plenty of choices for where he will play in 2019. With that being said, here are the five best options he has to choose from in 2019 NFL free agency.

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