When the Texans traded two first round picks and a second round pick for Laremy Tunsil (and Kenny Stills) last season, they knew they were going to end up where they currently are. Tunsil played the fourth year of his rookie contract in 2019. 2020 will be the fifth and last year of that rookie deal. Next year Tunsil will be free to hit free agency. At 25 years old, he’s already one of the league’s best pure one-on-one pass blockers; as a result, his contract extension will make him one of the highest paid players in the league, and that was the reality before we delve into the fact that the Texans gave up so much to acquire him that they can’t let him walk.
It was reported earlier this week that the Texans and Tunsil had started extension talks. Houston was offering around $18.5 million per year, while Tunsil wants “significantly more” and is expecting something in excess of $20 million per season.
These were the reports and rumors, stinky little things that operate in shadows and half truths. Rather than hear it from sources, here’s Tunsil discussing the negotiation process directly.
On ESPN’s NFL Live, @KingTunsil78 was asked about contract extension talks with the @HoustonTexans pic.twitter.com/bdng96OgYu
— SportsTalk 790 (@SportsTalk790) April 2, 2020
Tunsil wants to be paid more per year than Anthony Castonzo and Lane Johnson. He’s going to get it. Expect Tunsil to become the highest paid offensive linemen in football sometime this summer. It’s not an if. It’s a when.