3 reasons Steelers must sign edge defender Justin Houston

Could make Steelers pass rush an improvement from 2020

I know that this might seem like a ‘hot take,’ but I really believe there’s a chance that adding Justin Houston could give the Steelers a better pass rush unit than what they had in 2020 with Bud Dupree. While I’m not denying that Dupree is the overall better player at this point as he is entering his prime and is a very good run defender, Houston offers just as much from a pass rush standpoint.

There’s a reason that Justin Houston is a former first-team All-Pro player with four Pro Bowl appearances. Most fans probably don’t remember that Houston had a remarkable 22.0-sacks season with the Kansas City Chiefs back in 2014. While he has clearly slowed down some since then, Houston has still managed to average nearly 9.5 sacks per season over the past four years.

The Steelers would not be asking Houston to step into a full-time role. As a situational pass rusher who can come in fresh late in the game and tee off against winded offensive tackles, he would be a perfect fit in Pittsburgh.

The Steeles defense was completely gassed by the end of the season and in the playoffs last year, and they must add more depth to keep this unit one of the best in the league. Considering how cheap Ryan Kerrigan signed for this offseason, Pittsburgh signing a player like Justin Houston is well within the realm of possibility.