Linebacker Justin Houston agreed to a six-year, $101 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday, making him the second-highest paid defensive player in the history of the NFL and the highest paid player in team history, as per ESPN.

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The 26-year-old Houston, who was given a non-exclusive $13.2 million franchise tag by the Chiefs in March, had until July 15 to sign a long-term contract with his mother team or else he would have to play the coming season under the one-year tender or not at all. A non-exclusive tag also means that other teams can offer him the same amount and lure them to play for their side until he signs it.

Similar to what happened with wide receivers Dez Bryant of the Dallas Cowboys and Demaryius Thomas of the Denver Broncos, a long-term deal as finalized by the two camps at the last minute. Houston's deal reportedly came with a $52.5 million guarantee.  

The NFL's official website reported that Houston wanted the same remuneration that superstar defensive end J.J. Watt had last year, which valued at $100 million for six years. Evidently, he got a million dollars more than he had asked for.

Houston expressed thanks to his coaches, the management, and the fans in social media and said that he will not rest on his laurels following the record-breaking deal. He also told reporters that he is now motivated to be recognized as "one of the best to ever play the game" and that he does not think that he won the lottery after receiving such a huge compensation.

"You still got work to do. You still have to prove yourself. You can still get better each and every day so that's my goal," said Houston.

The three-time Pro Bowl player is considered as one of the best defenders in the NFL, making 22 sacks last season to lead the league in that department and is just "a half-sack short of tying the NFL single-season record," according to Yahoo Sports.

In 2014, he was selected to a third-straight Pro Bowl and was included in the First Team All-Pro.

In terms of salaries, he is now second only to the Miami Dolphins' defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh who was given a six-year, $114 million last March.

TagsNFL, NFL 2015, NFL news, NFL News 2015, NFL rumors, NFL Rumors 2015, Justin Houston, Kansas City /chiefs