James Houston burst onto the scene with a strong start in 2022, recording eight sacks in just seven games as a rookie. However, his performance declined over the following seasons, and he struggled to find his footing, particularly after an ankle injury sidelined him for most of 2023. Despite stepping into a larger role following Aidan Hutchinson's injury, Houston could not assert himself among the team's edge rushers. With the addition of Za'Darius Smith and the emergence of other players, the Lions decided to part ways with him after 17 games, during which he recorded nine sacks and 21 total tackles. Coach Dan Campbell expressed that it just didn’t work out for Houston in Detroit, wishing him the best in finding a fresh start.