Justin Houston says he turned down Steelers to signal with Ravens: ‘It labored out higher’

Justin Houston is losing no time inserting himself into the venomous rivalry between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens. The All-Professional go rusher just lately signed a one-year deal value as much as $4 million with the latter after parting methods with the Indianapolis Colts this offseason, touchdown on the Ravens roster in coaching camp after wading via affords for a number of months. In the long run, it wasn’t the largest monetary providing that tickled his fancy, as a result of he’d in all probability be in Pittsburgh if that had been the case.

Houston brazenly admits he practically took his abilities to the Steelers in 2021, however he merely could not go on the Ravens.

“I used to be so near signing with the Steelers,” Houston stated, by way of ESPN. “It simply labored out higher [in Baltimore].”

That is positive to each ingratiate him shortly in Baltimore and make him an immediate villain in Pittsburgh. 

So what particularly did the Ravens do, say or present him that made him detour? Their defensive plan for him, which is outwardly extra engaging to him than what Mike Tomlin was able to plug him into.

“I fell in love with it,” Houston stated. “I type of knew I needed to be right here after I noticed that. … I feel it was higher match for me in what I used to be in search of. I simply need alternatives to have one-on-ones and be capable of put stress on the quarterback.”

The Steelers and Ravens will not sq. off for the primary time in 2021 till Week 13, however then once more in brief order after they circle again to lock horns within the common season finale. Because of Houston throwing extra gas on the rivalry fireplace, these video games are positive to be that rather more entertaining, contemplating he selected to bully Ben Roethlisberger versus attempting to chase down Lamar Jackson. Not that this tidbit had something to do together with his resolution, but when it did, you could not actually blame him. 

And if issues do not work out in Baltimore, the Steelers may need one other shot at signing Houston in 2022 — assuming they’d attempt to.