Justin Houston contract situation takes patience, Chiefs GM John Dorsey says

Outside linebacker Justin Houston’s contract status remains in limbo and probably will for the near future, thanks to the $13.1 million nonexclusive franchise tag the Chiefs placed on him March 2.

Turns out that’s roughly the last time the Chiefs have spoken to Houston’s representative, Joel Segal, but general manager John Dorsey insisted Wednesday that there’s no reason to be concerned.

“Well, I think the last time I talked to his representatives were about a week ago,” Dorsey said. “It’s an ongoing process, it doesn’t happen overnight. These things with players of this magnitude, it’s going to take awhile.”

While the Chiefs still have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal with Houston, other teams can now enter into the mix. Now that free agency has officially begun, teams can officially offer Houston a contract 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 him.

Dorsey was asked Wednesday whether the Chiefs were 100 percent sure to match any offer sheet Houston were to receive.

“I think it’s a case-by-case basis, let’s see what happens,” Dorsey said. “But I’ve said all along, Justin’s a Kansas City Chief. I’ve said that, and I stand by that.”

The chances of Houston landing an offer sheet seem low; a team hasn’t signed away another team’s nonexclusive player since the Cowboys did it with Seattle’s Joey Galloway 15 years ago.

But regardless of what happens, Dorsey says there’s zero reason for panic to set in, even if the next month or so passes with no movement on the extension front.

“I think you can’t set hard dates,” Dorsey said. “But the good thing is, both sides are communicating.”

This story was originally published March 11, 2015 at 4:47 PM.