Kansas City Chiefs Could Trade Both Houston and Ford

While Justin Houston and Dee Ford combined for 22 quarterback sacks last season and over the last three seasons have totaled 47.5 for the Kansas City Chiefs, it is possible both could be playing elsewhere in 2019.

On Monday, Ford was given the franchise tag by the Kansas City Chiefs. Although, the team is listening to offers for a trade for the linebacker. Multiple teams have shown an interest, said league sources. However, the Chiefs are also open to keeping Ford if no trade suitable to the team arises.

Houston was informed by the team, said sources, that he is destined to be traded by the Chiefs. Additionally, if the team is not able to reach a deal for him, then he will be released.

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Houston has a $21.1 million salary cap for 2019 and if traded or released it would save the team $14 million on the salary cap.

The Chiefs are planning to change to a 4-3 defensive scheme under Steve Spagnuolo their new defensive coordinator. The team used a 3-4 scheme during 2018. The change would mean a position change for Houston and Ford, as they would become defensive ends in the 4-3 after playing linebacker in 2018 in the 3-4.

Ford, who turns 28 later this month, has turned into the player they were expecting after he was drafted in the first round out of Auburn in 2014.

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Ford finished the 2018 season with 13 sacks setting a career high and started each of the 16 games for just the first time since being drafted. He was chosen to play for the first time in the Pro Bowl.

Houston, who in January turned 30, was a third round pick of the Chiefs in 2011 out of Georgia. He posted 22 sacks during 2014 missing the NFL record by just a half-sack.

However, since then, Houston’s highest sack total for a season was in 2017 when he had 9.5. Houston is fourth on the all-time sacks list for the Chiefs with 78.5.