Deadlines spur action. The and franchised-tagged outside linebacker nailed down a long-term deal before Wednesday's Justin Steele Jersey 4 p.m. ET deadline, the team announced.Houston inked a six-year, $101 million deal that includes $52.5 million in guarantees, NFL Media's Albert Breer and Rand Getlin report. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport adds that Houston's signing bonus is $20.5 million and his contract includes $32.5 million fully guaranteed.The contract is the richest deal in ' history and largest for any linebacker."I want to be known as one of the best to ever play the game," Houston said on a conference call Wednesday. "That's my motivation."Houston was reported to want -type money. He got it, earning slightly more than Watt's deal that came with$30.9 million guaranteed. Houston's deal is also the second-largest contract ever for a defensive player, behind only . Houston becomes one of to make $16 million per season -- Watt, Suh, and .Houston earned 22 sacks in 2014, falling just half a sack shy of the NFL single-season record. While Houston goes overlooked by his colleagues -- -- and most of the general populous, his new contract empathically exhibits his worth to the and proclaims his status as one of the premiere sack masters in the NFL. The 26-year-old plays a pivotal role in a defense that relies on pre suring the quarterback with its front seven. With Houston's future secure, he can roll into 2015 with confidence, chasing Michael Strahan's single-season sack record and backing up his .That is debatable, but Houston has a strong case to make as the best linebacker in football. He's underrated against the run in addition to his pa s rushing prowe s. And now he's getting paid for it."Once you get paid, it's not like you won the lottery," Houston said Wednesday. "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." *The latest Podcast including the new contracts for and . * Brad Brach Jersey