Justin Houston signs one-year deal with Carolina Panthers
The NFL journey continues for veteran outside linebacker Justin Houston, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday that Houston has signed a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers.
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 where he was one of the most consistent outside linebackers in the NFL.
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.
He joins a Panthers defense that struggled to get after the quarterback last season, tying for sixth-worst in sacks last season with just 35 on the year. They did excel in stopping the run, holding opponents to just 122.6 rushing yards per game, but in both departments, Houston should be able to help.
The Carolina Panthers’ defensive front is highlighted young, talented players like Derrick Brown on the interior defensive line and edge players like Brian Burns and Yetur Gross-Matos who Houston will join in the position group.
The team is currently switching from a 4-3 defensive scheme to a 3-4 moving forward under new defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, and it will definitely be intriguing to see where Houston fits in and where he can be effective for Carolina’s defense in 2023.