New Indianapolis Colts linebacker Justin Houston is excited to play in the team's 4-3 defensive scheme.

The 30-year-old Houston signed a two-year, $24 million deal with the Colts on March 21. He told NFL Network's “Good Morning Football” (via 247Sports.com's Kirk Larrabee) on June 5 one of the reasons why he signed with Indy was the team's 4-3 defensive alignment.

I just wanted to be in a 4-3. I think I didn't get enough credit for me being in a 3-4, and dropping a lot of the time, so my sack numbers weren't as high as I would like for them to be.

So just being in a 4-3 and don't have to think about dropping no more is something I want to do for the rest of my career. I just want to go forward and rush the passer.

The Colts finished 11th in the NFL in team total defense last season (5,431 yards). Now that Indianapolis has Houston and 2018 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Darius Leonard, expect the defense to improve in 2019.

It's imperative for a player to thrive in an environment which fits his skill set. Houston has long wanted to wreak havoc in a 4-3 scheme. Bear in mind this man recorded 22.0 sacks with the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2014 NFL season.

While Houston's sack totals the past few years have tailed off, it doesn't mean he's already over the hill. Far from it, actually. Going forward and rushing the quarterback constantly bodes well for an aggressive pass rusher like Justin Houston. Expect him to become one of the Colts' pillars on defense in the 2019 NFL season.