The Kansas City Chiefs have been quite clear in their intentions to part ways with Justin Houston. Will Houston end up with the Cleveland Browns?
It was initially reported that the Kansas City Chiefs were going to release linebacker Justin Houston. Shortly after that it was retracted, in a way. Kansas City intends on attempting to trade Houston rather than release him. While the Chiefs have now basically lost all leverage, will the Cleveland Browns make a move to acquire the former All-Pro?
Traditionally when a coach or front office executive comes from one team to another a lot of former players come with them. That has not happened quite yet.
While the wave of former Kansas City Chiefs players has not yet arrived in Cleveland, things appear to be trending in that direction. John Dorsey signed former Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt after the season. Justin Houston could be the next. While Houston did not come to Kansas City because of Dorsey, Houston could look to Dorsey for a new deal with his former general manager in a new city.
Scheme fit is an issue in Kansas City and could be in Cleveland as well
The apparent reason for the Chiefs to move on from Justin Houston is a change in defensive scheme. Kansas City is moving from a 3-4 base to 4-3. While Cleveland also runs a 4-3, this is not a concern. What it comes down to is getting your best players on the field and adjusting your scheme as needed. There is also the fact that the real base defense in the modern NFL is nickel and the 3-4/4-3 debates are quite archaic. Just get the best rusher on the field at the same time and let them go to work. Justin Houston would qualify as one of the Browns best pass rushers.
Justin Houston could see time in conjunction with other pass rushers that Cleveland currently employs. Mixing and matching Houston with Genard Avery and Emmanuel Ogbah with Myles Garrett on the other side would give an opposing offense fits. This would force the offense to basically pick their poison in regards in who will get to their quarterback.
Will Justin Houston end up in Cleveland? Possibly, but it is not a guarantee by any means. The connection between John Dorsey and Justin Houston is a bit hard to ignore even though it is not as concrete as other connections that exist in the NFL.
