Chicago Bears Sign DE Lamarr Houston for 5 Years $35 Million
Dec 29, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Lamarr Houston (99) reacts during the game against the Denver Broncos at O.co Coliseum. The Broncos won 34-14. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Emery has struck again! At the stroke of the free agent signing period, the Bears’ GM landed a big fish, this season in the form of a much needed defensive end Lamarr Houston, formerly of the Oakland Raiders, per Adam Schefter:
Former Raiders defensive end Lamarr Houston reached agreement on a five-year, $35M deal with the Chicago Bears, per league sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2014
After the Bears missed out on Michael Bennett, they were said to be full speed ahead in their pursuit of Houston. Houston could be on the brink of a big season:
"Houston was Pro Football Focus’ 11th ranked DE in 2013 and had 41 QB hurries and 16 QB hits. If you combine those for a stat I like to call QBH (QB hits+hurries) that total was the 6th best in the league among DEs."
The next move might be the release of Julius Peppers, assuming no one steps up and takes the Bears up on their trade offer.