Carolina Panthers DL DeShawn Williams comments on addition of Justin Houston

Carolina Panthers defensive lineman DeShawn Williams is very excited about the recent addition of veteran edge rusher Justin Houston.

Speaking with the media after practice Tuesday, Williams said that with having Houston and Brian Burns on the outside, the Panthers are going to be getting home to opposing quarterbacks quite a bit in 2023.

“Man had 9.5 sacks at 33,” Williams said, via Panthers Wire. “Just to have a guy that has that experience of playin… a high-caliber player and the knowledge of the game — it’s huge. He can groom guys like a Yetur [Gross-Matos], even myself. Everybody’s learnin’. A DB [Derrick Brown], a Shy [Tuttle], Henry [Anderson]. Just the whole line. Just havin’ that x-factor, that extra threat.

“Everybody know what [Brian] Burns can do. They gon’ slide him, damn near triple-team, double-team him. But now you got another guy on the edge. Now it’s like, pick your poison. Now us, rushin’ together good on the inside, [Todd] Wash givin’ us things — damned if you do, damned if you don’t. You gotta pick somebody you gonna double-team. We gon’ get home.”

Houston, 34, signed a one-year deal with the Panthers Sunday. The four-time Pro Bowl selectee is entering the 13th NFL season of his career and will be suiting up for his fourth different franchise. Houston, however, showed he still has plenty of gas left in the tank after his performance for the Baltimore Ravens last season.

Houston started a career-low one game for the Ravens in 2022, but still appeared in 14 games and recorded his highest sack total in three seasons, ending the year with 9.5 sacks from his reserve pass-rushing role. He added 21 tackles to his stat line last season as well, forcing two turnovers throughout the season with an interception and a forced fumble.

Panthers take a chance on veteran edge rusher Justin Houston

Houston spent two seasons with the Ravens following two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, which all came after an eight-year stint with the Kansas City Chiefs where he was one of the most consistent edge rushers in the NFL.

His time in Kansas City was highlighted by an impressive 2014 season where he led the NFL with 22 sacks, also achieving a career-high 68 tackles in the process. He earned first-team All-Pro honors and the Deacon Jones Award as well following his breakout year.

Houston may be past his prime, but can still play an impactful role on the Panthers’ defensive front. He’s tallied up 506 tackles, 111.5 sacks, and 19 forced fumbles throughout his career, also tying the NFL all-time record for career safeties with four.

He joins a Panthers defense that struggled to get after the quarterback last season, tying for sixth-worst in sacks last season with just 35 on the year. They did excel in stopping the run, holding opponents to just 122.6 rushing yards per game, but in both departments, Houston should be able to help.