Justin Houston is reportedly close to deal with Ravens

Justin Houston is very close to signing a deal with the Baltimore Ravens in his free agency.

After having spent the last two NFL seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, veteran pass-rusher Justin Houston seems to be heading to the Charm City to sign with the Baltimore Ravens.

CBS’ NFL insider Jason La Canfora reports Houston wants to make it work with Baltimore in his free agency. Though the Ravens only have roughly $12.8 million in available cap space, Houston wants to sign with them, even though he has the potential to make more elsewhere. The 2021 campaign will be Houston’s 11th season out of Georgia and he turned 32 years old in January.

Baltimore has a glaring need for a veteran pass-rusher and Houston would suffice that need.

Baltimore Ravens close to signing pass-rusher Justin Houston in free agency

Though he has not been to a Pro Bowl in several years, Houston is rapidly approaching 100 career sacks. Given that he usually pushes for 10 annually, he should eclipse that benchmark this fall well before the weather starts to change. Even if he is on the wrong side of 30, Houston would be going to an organization with serious Super Bowl aspirations in Baltimore. He makes them better.

Overall, Houston is a Hall of Very Good candidate at this point of his career. He probably needs another Pro Bowl-caliber season, as well as two more years of 10-plus sacks to inevitably get to Canton. Adding a Lombardi Trophy to his impressive resume will certainly help. By signing with a contending team like the Ravens, he has the potential to check all of those boxes in Baltimore.

If Houston does end up signing with the Ravens, Baltimore will be a major threat in the AFC again.