The Carolina Panthers have agreed to terms with veteran outside linebacker Justin Houston on a one-year deal worth $7 million, in which $6 million is guaranteed, according to multiple reports.
The team announced signing the 12-year veteran Sunday, who will enter his 13th NFL season this year.
The Panthers have provided a veteran presence and an experienced pass-rusher opposite fellow linebacker Brian Burns.
The 34-year-old, who played for the Baltimore Ravens for the past two years, had a productive 9.5 sack season last year.
Houston previously considered retirement after the 2021 season, but he decided to go through 2022, in which he had a resurgent year. The surprise upturn made the veteran linebacker enthusiastic to return in 2023.
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Houston provides mentorship to Panthers
Houston was selected in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft with the 70th overall pick by the Kansas City Chiefs, where he spent most of his career until 2018.
He was named First-Team All-Pro in 2014 and played four consecutive Pro Bowl games from 2012 to 2015. The former Georgia player also won the Deacon Jones Award in 2014 for leading the league in sacks.
Houston spent the 2019 and 2020 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, collecting 19 sacks in two years before moving to Baltimore in 2021.
Houston's career stats in 12 seasons in the league include 111.5 sacks, 505 total tackles, 5 interceptions, 19 forced fumbles, 14 fumble recoveries, 34 pass deflections, and 2 defensive touchdowns.
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