Laremy Tunsil has iconic reaction to becoming NFL’s highest-paid tackle

Congratulations to Texans’ Laremy Tunsil, who just became the league’s highest-paid tackle and celebrated as such.

On Sunday, the Houston Texans inked left tackle Laremy Tunsil to a three-year, $75 million extension, making him the highest-paid tackle in NFL history.

Tunsil, who is entering his fifth season with the Texans, has quietly grown into one of the most underrated blindside protectors in the league, and Houston’s decision to re-sign him makes the team a much more desirable landing spot for any quarterback. With the Texans projected to take a quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft, the extension works in both sides’ favor: Houston gets a franchise cornerstone player in the offensive line, and Tunsil gets his bag.

Nothing may ever compare to Tunsil’s infamous gas mask bong video, and since then the offensive tackle has been much more discretionary with his social media usage.

After landing his monster deal, Tunsil posted a much more appropriate video on Twitter to convey his excitement:

Texans lock down LT Laremy Tunsil for the next three years

Tunsil’s reported deal includes $50 million in fully guaranteed money, and his $25 million average salary surpasses other premier left tackles in the league, namely San Francisco 49ers’ Trent Williams and the Green Bay Packers’ David Bakhtiari.

Tunsil got what he wanted and reset the O-line market in the process, laying the groundwork for other talented young tackles to follow in his footsteps.

The 28-year-old came off a league-best season in 2022, allowing only one sack and 17 pressures all year. He’s come a long way since getting picked by the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the 2016 draft and has cemented himself as a necessary piece as part of the Texans’ rebuilding efforts.

It is interesting to note that Tunsil’s contract is only for three years; Tunsil will hit the market again soon enough for another opportunity to negotiate an even bigger contract in the future, as the left tackle position continually ranks as one of the most important in football. (The Texans made him the highest paid tackle in 2020, and now again in 2023. See a pattern?)

Another thing to point out: Tunsil represented himself in his latest contract negotiations. Somewhere, Lamar Jackson is smiling and rubbing his hands….