The Chicago Bears have made it rather evident that they are in search of pass rushers.
In an August 13 interview with CBS Sports, head coach Matt Eberflus reaffirmed as much. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN and Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report were among the NFL insiders who claimed Chicago had shown interest in Matthew Judon, who was later traded to the Atlanta Falcons on August 15.
With very few free agency choices left, Justin Houston—who has a number of connections to Chicago’s present staff—becomes the team’s best remaining option.
On August 15, Windy City Gridiron’s Jacob Infante wrote, “Who knows if the Bears have interest in Houston, who’s 35 years old and definitely not in the prime of his career.” Nevertheless, the four-time Pro Bowler, who recorded 11.5 sacks just two seasons prior, is undoubtedly the best option available.
Bears ties for Justin Houston might result in his signing
Houston played for the Kansas City Chiefs for the first eight years of his career (2011–2018), during which time he was selected for four Pro Bowls and was once named to the first team of All-Pro. Houston met current Bears general manager Ryan in Kansas City.
Poles, who served as the Chiefs’ college scouting coordinator/scouting director during Houston’s tenure there. After his time in Kansas City, Houston headed to Indianapolis, where he spent the 2019 and 2020 seasons playing in the defense of Eberflus, who was the Colts’ defensive coordinator at the time. “He spent two seasons working under Eberflus with the Colts, tallying 11.0 and 8.0 sacks in those respective years,” Infante wrote about Houston. “He’s arguably best in a rotational role at this stage of his career, which is likely what the Bears would offer him. Familiarity and a path to playing time could be enticing as Houston looks for a spot in what could be his final season.”
Houston landed in Baltimore in 2021, playing for the Ravens for two seasons. In 2022, he amassed 17 quarterback hits, seven tackles-for-loss, an interception, a forced fumble and 9.5 sacks in 14 games. Over his 13-year career, he has 112.0 total sacks and 185 QB hits. A hamstring injury limited Houston in 2023. He played the first seven games of the with the Carolina Panthers before going on injured reserve. He asked to be released later in the season, and the Miami Dolphins picked him up for a potential playoff run. Miami lost in the Wild Card round, and never did see the field after Week 7 of last season.
Leave a Reply