According to multiple league sources, former Indianapolis Colts defensive end Justin Houston is signing with the Baltimore Ravens for a potential championship run in 2021:
Former All-Pro edge rusher Justin Houston reached agreement on a one-year deal worth up to $4 million with the Baltimore Ravens, per sources. Houston turned down significantly more money from other teams in order to pursue a championship with the Ravens, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 31, 2021
The 32 year old pass rusher recorded 25 tackles (19 solo), 8 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks, 32 total QB pressures, a forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, and 2 safeties last season during all 16 starts with the Colts.
He combined for 19.0 total sacks over his only 2 seasons in Indianapolis—having had a double-digit 11.0 sacks for the Colts in 2019.
However, with his diminished productivity last season and the early round 2021 selections of rookie edges Kwity Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo, the Colts elected to ultimately move on from the veteran free agent Houston earlier this offseason.
While the Colts will theoretically be younger, more athletic, quicker, and bendier off the edge this season, there is a question of whether the team will miss Houston’s proven production, reliability, and veteran leadership—as he was the team’s 2020 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award nominee.
The 11-year pass rusher currently ranks 37th (tied) on the NFL’s all-time career sacks list with 97.5 total sacks—and potentially counting, now with the Ravens.
Colts fans wish him well, as the grizzled sack specialist presumably still has some juice left in the tank to help a contending team win football games.
He was a productive veteran pass rushing presence for the Horseshoe.
Leave a Reply