Houston Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil agreed to terms on a contract extension with the club that traded a king’s ransom to the Miami Dolphins for his services at the end of the 2019 preseason. Coach Bill O’Brien was desperate to find a blindside protector for franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson.
According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, that contract extension has been processed. Now, the official figures from Tunsil’s $76.35 million contract are available.
Indeed, the Pro Bowler will make $22 million annually, which includes a $13 million signing bonus and $50 million guaranteed — making him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL. That isn’t bad for a player who negotiated his own contract.
In 2020, Tunsil will make $10.85 million with $10.35 million guaranteed. In 2021, Tunsil’s $16.15 million salary is guaranteed. In 2022, the former 2016 first-round pick’s $17.85 million salary will have $10 million of it guaranteed. In Tunsil’s final year of his contract in 2023, $18.5 million will be the base, but none of it is guaranteed.
Tunsil’s contract also has an annual de-escalator clause, according to Wilson.
What O’Brien, now the full-time general manager, has to take into account is Tunsil’s salary cap hit as he works with Watson on his contract extension. Tunsil will cost the Texans $14.1 million, $19.4 million, $21.1 million, and $21.75 million in subsequent seasons.
