Colts welcome Houston to 2-year deal worth $24M

The Indianapolis Colts have signed former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston to a two-year, $24 million contract, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Thursday. Houston registered 78.5 sacks in 102 games with the Chiefs from 2011-18, including a league-high 22 sacks in 2014.

The Chiefs released the 30-year-old pass rusher earlier this month when they could not find a trading partner. The four-time Pro Bowl selection had been due $15.25 million in base salary in 2019. Colts general manager Chris Ballard knows Houston from his time in Kansas City, where he served as director of player personnel (2013-14) and director of football operations (2015-16).

Whether Houston lines up at linebacker or moves to defensive end, the 6-foot-3, 258-pound veteran should improve an Indianapolis defense that tied for 19th in the NFL with 39 sacks last season.