Marcus Peters explains why he’s excited to have Justin Houston in Baltimore

The Baltimore Ravens made a big free agency splash by signing edge defender Justin Houston to a one-year deal worth up to $4 million. He’s considered by many to be a key addition to Baltimore’s defense as a pass rusher who can get to the quarterback consistently.

John Harbaugh said after Saturday’s open stadium practice at M&T Bank Stadium that multiple Ravens players, including cornerback Marcus Peters, played a key role in getting him to Baltimore.

“A number of players, Marcus Peters and he are very close. I know Marcus has been working on him to get him here for a while. Even in the last couple of days, Marcus made a couple visits over my way to make a couple calls.”

Peters and Houston were teammates with the Kansas City Chiefs from 2015-2017. After Monday’s training camp practice, Peters was asked about how excited he is to play with his former teammate, and the veteran explained what Houston means to him as a teammate and as a person.

“I try to do my part. If I know some guys that are good guys all the way around … Like you said, Justin [Houston] was one of the key factors when I was in KC [Kansas City], who kind of took me underneath his wing and showed that love – genuine love, at that. [He’s a] great father, great person, and he’s an ultimate great leader for a team like us. When you get a player like that, and he’s out there on the market, it doesn’t [hurt] to just call – just say, ‘What’s up? How are you doing?’ – and see if we can be a part of his journey, and he can be a part of ours, too, and it worked out. So, I’m glad to have him, and I’m excited – just ready to get to work with him.”

Houston will most likely be asked to play a specific role in the Ravens’ defense. He won’t be a player who is on the field for a big percentage of snaps for the team, but the coaching staff is sure to scheme up a way to use him in an effective manner while not overusing him.

At 32-years-old, Houston is still extremely effective on the football field. However, Peters gave a wonderful explanation as to why he’ll be such a good fit as a leader, a mentor, and an all-around person in Baltimore’s locker room that has plenty of young talent in it.