Linebacker Justin Houston was sufficiently upset with the lack of a new contract to skip the offseason program. But he showed up for training camp, realizing that the best way to get paid is to complete the final year of his rookie deal.
The Chiefs rewarded Houston for honoring his current obligations by offering a new contract. Houston didn’t like it. Per a league source, a “huge” gap current exists between the team’s offer and Houston’s demands.
It’s unclear whether that gap will be closed before the season ends and the Chiefs have to decide whether to use the franchise tag. If they don’t work out new deals with Houston and Alex Smith, they’ll have to choose between them. Maybe the Chiefs will choose neither.
The team’s ultimate position on Houston will depend on the development of rookie Dee Ford. Currently, Ford is listed as the second-string right outside linebacker, behind Tamba Hali.