Former Georgia Bulldog, NFL free agent Justin Houston signs with new team

Houston spent his first eight years with the Kansas City Chiefs before playing the last two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. 

Former Georgia football linebacker Justin Houston has reached a one-year deal worth up to $4 million with the Baltimore Ravens, according to a report by ESPN’s Adam Shefter.

The 10-year NFL vet spent his first eight years with the Kansas City Chiefs before playing the last two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.

Houston is a four-time Pro Bowl selection that led the NFL in sacks in 2014, which earned him first-team All-Pro honors that year. The 32-year-old was also quite productive in his time with the Colts.

Houston totaled 19 sacks, 30 quarterback hits and a league-high three safeties between 2019 and 2020. Now, Houston will join a loaded Ravens squad with eyes on a championship.

 

Todd Gurley, Justin Houston predicted to sign with same NFL team

Two former Georgia football players are projected to sign with the same NFL team.

The Score’s Jack Browne recently predicted where some of the NFL’s top free agents would sign prior to the start of the 2021 season.

He mentioned two former Georgia Bulldogs in his predictions and projects them to sign with the same team.

That team would be the Baltimore Ravens.

And the players would be Todd Gurley and Justin Houston.

On Gurley, Browne said:

The veteran back has reportedly met with the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens recently, and the latter is a far more preferable landing spot. Baltimore’s depth at the position would allow Gurley to take on a less taxing role, and while his receiving skills have waned, he would still be the best pass-catcher in the AFC North club’s backfield.

Gurley, the former NFL Offensive Player of the Year with the Los Angeles Rams, was at one time the league’s best running back, but he has rapidly declined since his knee started giving him issues. But there’s no doubt that the former Georgia Bulldog can still provide value to a team and remains very productive in the red zone.

Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley (21) warms up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

If Gurley joins the Ravens, he would pair with superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson and second-year running back and Ohio State great JK Dobbins.

On Houston, Browne wrote:

Once one of the most feared pass-rushers in the NFL, Houston is now in the twilight of his career. But the 32-year-old, who has at least eight sacks in each of the last four seasons, should still be capable of making a significant impact as a secondary option for a contender.

Houston’s other likely options are joining the Ravens or returning to the Chiefs. Both AFC teams have plenty of defensive ends but should be intent on fielding the strongest defense possible to help their star quarterbacks.

Houston appeared in 16 games and recorded 8.0 sacks last season, good enough to rank No. 21 among sack leaders.

Nov 12, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive end Justin Houston (50) and Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) celebrate after a win against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Houston was an absolute problem for SEC offenses while at Georgia. As a junior in 2010, Houston led all linebackers in sacks with 10 and was named First-Team All-American and First Team All-SEC.

Report: Indianapolis Colts interested in bringing back UGA great Justin Houston

Stephen Holder of The Athletic reports that the Indianapolis Colts are interested in resigning former Georgia linebacker Justin Houston.

Former Georgia linebacker Justin Houston is one of the top remaining NFL free agents. After spending eight years with the Kansas City Chiefs, earning his way to four Pro Bowl selections and two First-Team All-Pro selections, Houston signed a two-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts in 2018.

Houston appeared in 16 games and recorded 8.0 sacks last season, good enough to rank No. 21 among sack leaders.

According to The Athletic’s Stephen Holder, the Colts are still interested in bringing the 10-year veteran back to Indianapolis in 2021.

Pro Football Focus detailed Houston’s status in their free agent rankings.

“The big question for Houston is what he has left at this point after 10 years in the league. He doesn’t have the same burst and power that made him the fifth-best pass-rushing edge defender in the NFL during the last decade, and he finished 2020 with the lowest pass-rush grade of his career. Houston still flashes his ability, as he can get offensive tackles off-balanced with his length and good technique, but the days of accumulating 50-plus pressures in a season appear to be in the past. Even in the run game, Houston took a step back in 2020. On the other hand, Houston is just one year removed from an 87.1 overall grade while playing just over 40 plays per game, and he may have something to offer in a rotational role.”

Houston was an absolute problem for SEC offenses while at Georgia. As a junior in 2010, Houston led all linebackers in sacks with 10 and was named First-Team All-American and First Team All-SEC.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSGQPJ4z7HI

 

 


A new episode of “UGA Football Live with J.C. Shelton” is here! J.C. is joined by former Georgia tight end Arthur Lynch to talk UGA football, his life as U.S. Army 2nd Lieutenant and more. Listen here: