[bowener]

Houston doesn't get let go. He is either a Chief or he is traded. You have to be crazy to think in this league Houston has no value on the trade block, age and contract aside he is still a phenomenal player that is, for whatever reason, undervalued by the brains on this board. If the Chiefs had any kind of secondary this season he and Ford would have had 25% more sacks at minimum.

Let's say Ford is gone, which I don't think is as likely as everybody else, Houston and Speaks wold be great DEs. Houston could also still be a great LB in the 4-3. The fact that both of those statements are likely true tells you that he will remain here because of his versatility and locker room presence.

edit: and while Wright will be a vet he won't provide a lot of leadership right away since nobody on the team will know him and he barely played last season. Which leaves who, Jones as the only vet leadership? I haven't seen anything saying he is looked at by the defense as a leader or not. Whereas Houston is absolutely looked at as a leader in the locker room. With a new coach coming in keeping veteran leadership in place will help with the transition (except in the case of somewhere like Pitt where it is a shit show that needs cleaned out).