-- Hey CP - Where exactly are you with regards to Justin Houston?

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I don't think he's scared of getting cut. He just knows he can be. I'm sure his preference is to stay in kc. If kc offers him a deal that's at least competitive with what he'd get in the open market, don't see why he wouldn't restructure. At this stage in his career, I'd imagine hed rather be guaranteed.

He's going to get paid on the open market. There are several teams like the Colts that can, and will, pay him more than the Chiefs. If it comes down to an ultimatum, plan on him refusing to restructure. The only way he can even know if what the Chiefs are offering is fair is to get offers from other teams and compare.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

He's going to get paid on the open market. There are several teams like the Colts that can, and will, pay him more than the Chiefs. If it comes down to an ultimatum, plan on him refusing to restructure. The only way he can even know if what the Chiefs are offering is fair is to get offers from other teams and compare.

I don't think we disagree that much. What I meant by leverage is if the Chiefs want to pay him the market rate, which will undoubtedly be well less than his current contract, they hold all the cards. If they really wanted to keep him, worst case scenario they keep him at his current contract. If he sees the open market it will be because the Chiefs didn't want to pay his current base salary and don't want to pay the market rate, not because Houston held any cards. Wouldn't count out the possibility that the Chiefs cut him so Houston can test what his market rate is, then outbid.