Getty Image / Justin Casterline
Laremy Tunsil’s NFL career got off to a very inauspicious start when pictures of the former Ole Miss star offensive tackle using some sort of contraption to consume illegal substances leaked during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Kids pay attention! How to lose millions in a day! LAREMY TUNSIL SMOKING OFF A GAS MASK #NFLDraft2016 #ThanksDad pic.twitter.com/aP2tj67vqC
— CoachTube.com (@thecoachtube) April 29, 2016
But, the Miami Dolphins took him with the 13th pick in the 2016 draft, and Tunsil has been lights-out as a blindside protector, and has consistently been among the league’s best players at the position. He has been named to three Pro Bowls, 2019, 2020 and 2022. All three of those have come with the Houston Texans, who acquired him to be Deshaun Watson’s blindside before the 2019 season.
And, after already a 3 year, $66 million extension in 2020, Tunsil has gotten paid again in a big way.
Per Saint Omni, #Texans star LT Laremy Tunsil is once again the highest-paid tackle in NFL history, securing a 3-year deal worth $75M with $50M fully guaranteed and $60M in total guarantees. The blindside protector does a true reset on the market. Tunsil represented himself. pic.twitter.com/pEC68BRPSu
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 19, 2023
This is the biggest contract in terms of annual salary in the history of the league for an offensive lineman, and it’s so impressive he negotiated this himself.
And, he topped it off with a hilarious tweet.
— Laremy Tunsil (@KingTunsil78) March 19, 2023
This is a big step for a franchise that is looking to find its next franchise quarterback, and could potentially select one early on in the NFL draft. The Texans have the 2nd pick in the upcoming NFL draft.