Highest paid tackle

Texans lock up left tackle Tunsil with $22 million per year deal

Texans lock up left tackle Tunsil with $22 million per year deal
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The Houston Texans did not have a first round pick on Thursday, but they made news Friday when they locked up left tackle Laremy Tunsil to a three-year contract extension.

Tunsil, acquired from the Miami Dolphins prior to last season for two No. 1 picks and a No. 2, becomes the highest paid tackle in football. He made his first Pro Bowl last season.

According to the Houston Chronicle's Aaron Wilson, the extension is worth $57 million guaranteed with a $13 million signing bonus, and averages $22 million per season. The deal means Tunsil would be under contract through 2023. Tunsil is slated to make $10.5 million this year.

Tunsil helped solidify what had been an abysmal offensive line before last season. Paired with second-year right tackle Titus Howard - who was playing terrific football before his injury - the Texans have the makings of. nice pair of bookends for the immediate future. Tunsil was a false start machine last year, but other than that he played at a high level.

Next up could be extensions for linebackers Zack Cunningham or quarterback Deshaun Watson. But the Tunsil signing was critical. If he walked after next season considering the assets they gave up, it would have been a disaster. But the Texans avoided that with Friday's deal.

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