KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs have had Derrick Thomas, Neil Smith, Tamba Hali and Jared Allen play for them over the past 25 years. But they’ve never seen pass-rushing greatness like the kind linebacker Justin Houston showed this season.
Houston brought down San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers four times in Sunday’s game, a 19-7 Chiefs victory. Houston led the NFL with 22 sacks, highest total in Chiefs history. He finished a half-sack short of the NFL record of 22.5 set by Michael Strahan of the New York Giants in 2001.
Houston’s contract will expire in March and he would become an unrestricted free agent if the sides haven’t reached an agreement on a new deal before then.
No matter the expense, the Chiefs should re-sign Houston. Even for a franchise with an impressive pass-rush lineage, Houston stands out.
He will turn 26 in January, so he should have several productive seasons left. The Chiefs need to make certain those seasons are played in Kansas City.
“It hasn’t hit me yet,’’ Houston said. “It will mean a lot one day but today I’m more disappointed we’re going home next week instead of playing [in the playoffs].’’
Houston had his final sack of the season with about a minute left in the game, leaving him time to get the NFL record. The Chargers, in fact, ran three more plays, but Houston dropped into coverage and never had a chance to break Strahan’s record.
Houston has sacked Rivers five times in his career, more than any other opposing quarterback other than Michael Vick.
“Some guys just have the knack,’’ Rivers said. “He has that. He’s a big, strong, powerful guy that can beat you around the corner and beat you inside.’’
Houston is the 10th player in NFL history to get to 20 sacks. Thomas held the Chiefs' record of 20, set in 1990.
Five of the previous nine players to get 20 or more are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Thomas included. Three of the remaining four have a chance to eventually get in, Allen included.
But no Chiefs player has ever has a pass-rushing season like Houston did this season.
"A lot of guys have come in and tried to break that record, myself included, and didn’t get close,’’ Hali said “What Houston did is remarkable.
“For you to get [even] 10 sacks in this league is hard. You have to look at it and appreciate a guy like Houston.’’
