‘To reset the market again would mean a lot to me, I want to finish my career here in Houston.’
INDIANAPOLIS – Laremy Tunsil has a detailed vision for building a strong personal legacy, a winning legacy that goes beyond how he regularly rocks the game’s leading rushers.
The Pro Bowl left tackle wants to help transform the 2-13-1 Texans into a winning program and, one day, finish his career with the AFC South franchise.
“I want to bring this program back,” Tunsil said. “That’s what I want: to turn this organization from a losing organization to a winning organization. I want to finish my career here in Houston.”
There is a large financial element and respect factor involved within Tunsil’s goals.
Tunsil wants to break new ground in the elite offensive tackle market and, once again, become the highest-paid offensive tackle in NFL history. Originally signed to a three-year, $66 million contract after being acquired in a trade from the Miami Dolphins, Tunsil is looking to surpass the $23.01 million average of San Francisco 49ers star Trent Williams with a blockbuster contract extension this year off season. Tunsil sees himself as a valuable insurance policy that keeps the quarterback safe and sound. With quarterback salaries on the rise — Aaron Rodgers ($50.3 million), Russell Wilson ($49 million), Kyler Murray ($46.1 million) and Deshaun Watson ($230 million fully guaranteed, $46 million average) — the tool market is also expected to continue to grow. . That could mean, if the Texans are willing to write a big check, for an expensive deal for Tunsil that could potentially fall in the neighborhood of $24 million to $25 million per year.
“It means a lot to me to restore the market,” Tunsil said. “Absolutely, you should have insurance. You have to protect the quarterback. You have to pay the left duties.”
Tunsil, who does not have an agent and helped negotiate his original contract with the Texans with the advice and counsel of advisors Saint Omni and Laolu Sanni, hopes to speak with Texans general manager Nick Caserio soon to start the conversation toward this offseason goal. .
“Hopefully, I’ll hear something next week,” Tunsil said. “Plant the seed and see where we go from here.”
Tunsil is one of the few bright spots on a bad team. He is the highest-rated pass blocker in the NFL with a 90.9 Pro Football Focus analytics grade. The former Dolphins first-round draft pick out of Mississippi has allowed just one sack all season, and that was in the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts.
Named a starter as a three-time Pro Bowl selection, Tunsil has set and accomplished goals all season. That includes staying healthy and starting every game after undergoing thumb surgery last season and being placed on injured reserve. The next goal on his list: to be named All-Pro for the first time.
“That’s the next box I want to check,” Tunsil said. “It means a lot. That was one of my main goals this offseason, to make the Pro Bowl and become an All-Pro. I highlighted All-Pro because it’s a bit better. That would mean the ultimate respect, being an All-Pro in this league.”
What is Tunsil’s argument for that status?
“How consistent I am, I stay consistent in everything I do,” Tunsil said. “The passing sets, the running game, helping my teammates. I’m proud of all of that.”
Named to the Pro Bowl again after allowing just three quarterback hits and 17 pressures, Tunsil believes he’s made a compelling case for that respect move.
“Don’t doubt me,” he said. “That was the main thing that motivated me throughout the season. They see I’m LT1. They see I’m the best left tackle in the league.”
Aaron Wilson is a contributor to KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
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