Ole Miss OT Laremy Tunsil Signs Record Contract Extension With Houston Texans

Laremy Tunsil will now be the highest-paid tackle in the NFL after agreeing to terms on an extension with the Texans.

Former Ole Miss offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil said prior to the end of the regular season that he wanted to be the highest-paid tackle in the NFL. 

On Sunday, that wish became a reality. 

Tunsil agreed to terms with the Houston Texans on a three-year extension worth $75 million, with $60 million in total guarantees. The deal marks the largest contract handed out by Texans general manager Nick Caserio. 

The previous richest contract for an offensive lineman was the six-year, $138.06 million deal reached in 2021 between the San Francisco 49ers and All-Pro tackle Trent Williams. That agreement had an average annual value of $23.01 million per season. 

Tunsil will now earn an annual salary of $25 million starting in 2024. The soon-to-be 29-year-old was entering the final year of his previous extension signed back in 2019 under then-coach/GM Bill O’Brien. 

Tunsil, who represented himself throughout the negations, told reporters his intent was to remain in Houston for the remainder of his career. Rumors speculated that if a deal couldn’t get done before the NFL draft in April that the franchise would field calls for the three-time Pro Bowler. 

Earlier this month, it was reported that the Kansas City Chiefs were interested in Tunsil as the long-term replacement for Orlando Brown Jr., who agreed to terms on a four-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. Ultimately, the two sides couldn’t come to terms on the asking price, leading to Caserio pivoting toward extension talks. 

A consistent pass-protector that’s improved every season in run blocking, Tunsil will now be the leading man up-front blocking for a rookie quarterback. The Texans are expected to select one of the top passers with the No. 2 pick. 

Last season, Tunsil finished with an 80.0 by Pro Football Focus, his highest grade since being drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 2016. He allowed one sack and 11 pressures while grading out with his best run-blocking grade since 2017. 

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