Kansas City Chiefs GM John Dorsey: 'We have started Justin Houston contract talks'

Kansas City Chiefs general manager John Dorsey has admitted that the club have begun discussions with the representatives of linebacker Justin Houston over a new long-term deal.

The 26-year-old has become one of the premier pass-rushers in the NFL over the past two seasons, but the two parties failed to come to a long-term agreement over a contract at the end of the 2014 campaign.

As a result, the Chiefs designated Houston with the franchise tag to keep him under contract for only the 2015 season, but Dorsey has now revealed that talks are under way to secure Houston's future.

"If you're going to ask me if I've had conversations with his representatives, I have," Dorsey told reporters. "I've had conversations with his representatives - or we have - in the last three days."

Houston has recorded 235 tackles, 48.5 sacks and one interception in his four years in the NFL.