Tag: Justin Houston

Brian Burns on Justin Houston: He’s given me a lot of knowledge

Panthers OLB Brian Burns on Justin Houston: He’s only been here a day and he’s given me a lot of knowledge

Justin Houston has been an official member of the Carolina Panthers for a grand total of two practices. Yet, he’s already paying off on that one-year, $7 million pact.

Panthers outside linebacker Brian Burns spoke to reporters following Wednesday’s joint practice with the visiting New York Jets. When asked about the importance of having a proven pass rusher in Houston by his side, the 25-year-old said it’s already making a mark on him.

“It’ll help,” Burns replied. “He’s a veteran—a super vet. Got a lot of experience. I think he’s going on what? Year 13? He’s only been here a day and he’s given me a lot of knowledge . . . just on some things I haven’t even thought about. It’s nice when you can talk rush and bounce ideas off each other. So, it’s cool.”

Houston will be more than just a teacher, too. The four-time Pro Bowler, who racked up 9.5 sacks at 33 years of age in 2022, was brought on to give Burns a certified partner off the edge.

And even at 34 years old, Houston probably has a lot more left to give Burns and the Panthers—from inside and outside the lines.

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WATCH: Brian Burns crashes Bryce Young’s presser on Wednesday

Panthers LB/BB Love Entertainment reporter Brian Burns had some fun during Bryce Young’s post-practice presser on Wednesday.

BB Love Entertainment is back!

Following Wednesday’s joint practice between the Carolina Panthers and the New York Jets, outside linebacker Brian Burns literally joined the scrum—finding a seat amongst media members during quarterback Bryce Young’s presser. While moonlighting as a reporter, the two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher wanted to know a bit more about, well, himself . . .

 

This wasn’t the first time Burns tried his hand at the job. During last summer’s edition of training camp—almost a year to the day, in fact—he crashed former Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey’s post-practice party.

And just as he did with Young, Burns asked about Burns . . .

Microphones aside, Burns was one of the session’s standout stars—picking up multiple (would-be) sacks during the 11-on-11 portion of the outing against the Jets offense. The rookie shined as well, completing 14 of his 22 attempts while displaying his highly-acclaimed holy trinity of poise, pocket presence and playmaking ability.

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More details on Justin Houston’s 1-year contract with Panthers

Here’s how Justin Houston’s one-year pact with the Panthers breaks down:

On Wednesday, new Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Justin Houston got his number . . . his uniform number, that is. The 13th-year veteran was able to acquire his No. 50 from fellow backer Chandler Wooten, who scooted over to No. 57.

And hey, he even showed it off in Spartanburg already . . .

But those digits weren’t the only ones of note in regards to the four-time Pro Bowler.

ESPN NFL insider Field Yates tweeted out some fresh details on Houston’s fresh one-year pact with the Panthers this morning. It breaks down like this:

Maximum value: $7 million
Signing bonus: $4.835 million
Base salary: $1.165 million (guaranteed)
NLTBE (not likely to be earned) incentives: $1 million
2023 cap hit: $2.132 million (four void years)

Vice president of football administration Samir Suleiman and general manager Scott Fitterer are certainly no strangers to using those void years. Houston’s contract includes four void years, which will allow a lower cap hit this upcoming season by spreading out his prorated signing bonus money over that time.

And although we cannot confirm any such details, but Wooten may or may not be getting a percentage of that money for handing Houston his No. 50.

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Justin Houston reveals why he signed with Panthers

Justin Houston said it was an easy decision to sign with the Panthers. Here’s why:

A four-time Pro Bowler and one of the game’s most prolific pass rushers, Justin Houston probably had a few destinations available to him this summer. But there’s a big reason why he ultimately landed with the Carolina Panthers.

The 34-year-old reported to Spartanburg, S.C. on Tuesday to make his new one-year deal an official one. When talking to reporters after taking care of business, he was asked why he decided on the Panthers.

“Coach Frank,” Houston replied. “It was simple. Coach Frank called. I knew right then—as soon as he called, I hung up the phone and told my wife we goin’ to Carolina. It was an easy decision.”

Houston played a pair of seasons under head coach Frank Reich back in Indianapolis. There, between 2019 and 2020, he recorded 60 total tackles and 19.0 sacks over 32 outings.

The highly-regarded veteran was then asked why he holds Reich in such high regard himself.

“I trust him,” he added. “He’s a stand-up guy. What you see is what you get, and he’s gonna be straight up, forward with you. He’s a guy that you can count on. And like I said, the biggest thing is trust. I wanted somebody I can trust.”

Now, the Panthers will trust Houston and his $7 million deal to pay dividends for a budding defense this season.

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DeShawn Williams on Panthers’ addition of Justin Houston: We gon’ get home

DL DeShawn Williams on Panthers’ addition of Justin Houston: Now it’s like, pick your poison

A Central, S.C. native, new Carolina Panthers defensive lineman DeShawn Williams has been all about the homecoming this offseason. And now, he’s excited to get home in a slightly different kind of way.

The fifth-year veteran was asked about the addition of outside linebacker and four-time Pro Bowler Justin Houston after Tuesday’s practice. What followed was a scary prospect to listen to, at least for opposing offenses.

“Man had 9.5 sacks at 33,” Williams said in amazement. “Just to have a guy that has that experience of playin’ . . . a high-caliber player and the knowledge of the game—it’s huge. He can groom guys like a Yetur [Gross-Matos], even myself. Everybody’s learnin’. A DB [Derrick Brown], a Shy [Tuttle], Henry [Anderson]. Just the whole line. Just havin’ that x-factor, that extra threat.

“Everybody know what [Brian] Burns can do. They gon’ slide him, damn near triple-team, double-team him. But now you got another guy on the edge. Now it’s like, pick your poison. Now us, rushin’ together good on the inside, [Todd] Wash givin’ us things—damned if you do, damned if you don’t. You gotta pick somebody you gonna double-team. We gon’ get home.”

In addition to the knowledge, Houston comes to Carolina with 111.5 career sacks—the fifth-most amongst all active players. And if Williams is right, he’ll definitely be adding to that total this season.

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Frank Reich: Justin Houston will be a rotational player

Frank Reich told reporters on Tuesday that new OLB Justin Houston will be a rotational piece for the Panthers defense.

After having outside linebacker Justin Houston for a pair of seasons in Indianapolis, Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich has a pretty good feel of the four-time Pro Bowler. He also has a pretty good feel of what he’ll be doing in Charlotte this season.

Reich began his post-practice presser on Tuesday by talking about the team’s newest addition in Houston. He had the following to say about the longtime pass rusher:

“Really excited to have Justin. That group has been really good at camp. I feel like the development of that group has been outstanding, and now to get to add Justin to the group is a big deal. He’s a physical specimen, he’s an incredibly smart football player, he’s a leader, he’s the ultimate competitor.”

Houston and the Panthers agreed to terms on a one-year, $7 million deal this past Sunday. That pact became official this morning, after Houston arrived in Spartanburg to pass his physical.

Reich would then be asked about what type of role he sees his new defensive weapon assuming.

“He’ll be a rotational player,” he told reporters. “I have no doubt—knowing him the way I do—that if we wanted to play him 60 plays a game, he’d be up to the task. But that won’t be likely. It’s a long season.”

Houston, 34, will be entering his 13th NFL season this fall. So while he may be starting across from fellow Pro Bowler Brian Burns, the vet will have some help along the way.

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Panthers waive Jalen Redmond to make room for Justin Houston

The corresponding move to get Justin Houston on the Panthers roster was made at the expense of rookie DL Jalen Redmond.

Sunday’s agreement between the Carolina Panthers and outside linebacker Justin Houston became officially official this morning—thanks to a clean physical and a parting of ways.

As first reported by Darin Gantt of Panthers.com, the team has waived defensive end Jalen Redmond to clear up the 90th roster spot for the four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher. Houston reported to Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C. for his first breath of training camp on Tuesday.

Prior to his jump to the pros, Redmond spent five years at the University of Oklahoma. In his four seasons on the field, the Midwest City native recorded 71 total tackles (31.5 for a loss), 14.0 sacks, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and six passes defensed over 36 games.

Redmond was then signed as an undrafted free agent back in April. The 6-foot-2, 291-pounder was one of four players placed on the active/physically unable to perform list to start camp.

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Justin Houston reports to Panthers training camp on Tuesday

New Panthers pass rusher Justin Houston has arrived in Spartanburg.

We have lift off.

Less than 48 hours after coming to terms, the Carolina Panthers and outside linebacker Justin Houston united at training camp. Per Joe Person of The Athletic and David Newton of ESPN, the 34-year-old veteran has arrived at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C.

Houston, who will not be participating on the practice field for this morning’s session, is expected to undergo his physical some time today. Once he passes, the pact between the sides will become official.

The Panthers, in their search for a certified pass-rushing presence to pair with two-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns, reached an agreement with the four-time Pro Bowler late Sunday. As first reported by ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter later that night, the one-year deal can be worth up to $7 million with $6 million in guarantees.

In his 2022 campaign as a member of the Baltimore Ravens, Houston collected 9.5 sacks over 14 games. He may also be collecting on another kind of number pretty soon . . .

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