Carolina Panthers Sign 4-Time Pro Bowl Edge Rusher Justin Houston

The Carolina Panthers have added one of the past decade's most productive pass rushers. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the team has reached an agreement with four-time Pro Bowler Justin Houston on a one-year deal.

Four-time Pro-Bowl LB Justin Houston reached agreement on a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 6, 2023

Houston has become a bit of a journeyman in recent years, but he's amassed an impressive career due to his consistency and top-shelf athleticism. His 22.0 sacks during the 2014 season are the third-most in a single season of all time, and his 111.5 career sacks are the fourth-most among active players behind only Von Miller, Cameron Jordan, and Chandler Jones.

Houston isn't the hot commodity he once was, but he unquestionably remains an effective player. He tallied an impressive 9.5 sacks on only 397 defensive snaps with the Baltimore Ravens during the 2022 regular season. He also earned a solid 73.6 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, playing mostly as a rotational pass rusher.

That calibre of play has apparently earned Houston a significant pay raise: per Schefter, he'll have a chance to earn up to $7 million after playing last season on a one-year, $3.5 million deal. That's significant enough money to indicate the Panthers may be looking at Houston as a starter. At the very least, he should bookend two-time Pro Bowler Brians Burns on obvious passing downs.