Not surprisingly, Justin Houston misses Chiefs’ first OTA workout

Outside linebacker Justin Houston was not present for the first day of organized team activities Tuesday, which was not a surprise.

Houston, who was franchise-tagged by the team during the offseason, skipped OTAs last year. He is seeking a long-term contract extension as opposed to signing a one-year franchise tender.

Outside linebacker Tamba Hali — who has spoken with Houston — said his teammate and friend is eager to get back to football.

“Every two or three weeks, we talk,” Hali said. “He's working, he's working his tail off. Like any player, he wants to be here. But we know our league is a business, and we've got to allow that process to work itself out. He wants to be here. He's missing it.”

The Chiefs have until July 15 to work out a long-term contract with Houston. As a nonexclusive franchise player, other teams can offer Houston a contract that the Chiefs could choose to either match or reject. If they were to reject, the Chiefs would receive two first-round picks from the team that signs Houston.

Dorsey — not to mention chairman Clark Hunt and coach Andy Reid — have consistently been optimistic regarding Houston’s future in Kansas City.

“We’ve said all along that Justin is a great football player, he really is,” Dorsey said in April. “I foresee him not going anywhere in the future.”

This story was originally published May 26, 2015 at 4:29 PM with the headline "Not surprisingly, Justin Houston misses Chiefs’ first OTA workout."