Veteran linebacker Justin Houston signs two-year deal with Colts

Entering the offseason, the Indianapolis Colts were one of the teams strapped with plenty of salary cap space to add more talent to their roster.

The Colts made use of that luxury by adding former Pro Bowl linebacker Justin Houston on a two-year, $24 million deal on Thursday afternoon, according to ESPN.

The Indianapolis Colts have reached agreement with former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston on a two-year, $24 million contract, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Thursday.

Houston hit the open market just days before the start of the free agency period as he was released on March 10 by the Kansas City Chiefs after they were unable to work out a trade. He was set to make $15.25 million in base salary for the 2019 season.

Houston spent his first eight seasons in the league with the Chiefs, where he had established himself as one of the premier pass rushers that saw him tally up 78.5 sacks along the way.

He had his best season in 2014 where he recorded a career-best 22 sacks and has tallied double-digit sacks totals three times and recorded at least 5.5 sacks all but once in his first eight campaigns.

Houston has a chance to make a significant impact with the Colts as their primary pass rusher and anchor along the defensive line. Indianapolis has taken a significant step forward this past season, reaching the playoffs while getting to the divisional round of the postseason after beating the Houston Texans.