Panthers Sign Veteran Justin Houston to Boost Pass Rush and Reunite with Coach Reich

 Panthers Sign Veteran Justin Houston to Boost Pass Rush and Reunite with Coach Reich

Panthers Sign Veteran Justin Houston(Image-Getty)

Carolina Panthers have successfully secured the services of accomplished outside linebacker Justin Houston, according to a report by NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo on Sunday. The official confirmation of this signing was later provided by the team.

Justin Houston, who boasts a remarkable record of being selected to the Pro Bowl four times, is set to embark on his 13th season in the NFL. His addition to the Carolina Panthers is expected to greatly enhance the team's pass rush capabilities, a crucial area that required strengthening after ranking 25th in sacks during the previous year. As a seasoned player, Houston's experience is anticipated to have a positive impact on the defensive line, particularly in tandem with Brian Burns, forming a formidable duo that will relentlessly pursue opposing quarterbacks.

Having spent the preceding two years with the Baltimore Ravens, Justin Houston's performance has been noteworthy, appearing in 29 games during that period. Notably, in the 2022 season, he recorded an impressive tally of 9.5 sacks and 17 quarterback hits, highlighting his proficiency as a specialist in pass rushing.

Justin Houston's remarkable career statistics underscore his prowess as a premier pass rusher, with an impressive total of 111.5 sacks over the course of his twelve-year journey. An outstanding achievement within this span includes his remarkable accomplishment of recording 22 sacks during the 2014 season while playing for the Chiefs. Remarkably, even after nine years since that remarkable feat, Houston continues to display his dominance on the field, as evidenced by his impressive record of achieving eight or more sacks in five of the last six seasons.

This signing carries an additional layer of significance as it reunites Justin Houston with a familiar face, none other than new Panthers head coach Frank Reich. The two shared a professional journey during their time together in Indianapolis from 2019 to 2020, adding a personal touch to Houston's transition to the Panthers. This reunion is expected to contribute positively to the team's dynamics, drawing from their previous successful collaboration.