Houston Texans Tackle Tunsil Looking to "Reset" the Tackle Market

Houston Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil certainly isn't shy about his intentions. Tunsil told ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime that he intends to "reset" the tackle market this offseason by signing a contract that makes him the league's highest-paid offensive lineman.

NEW Exclusive: Texans' Laremy Tunsil tells ESPN that he wants to 'reset' tackle market https://t.co/AWg0YosdM7
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) December 28, 2022

Tunsil will enter the final year of a three-year, $66 million extension with the Texans in 2023. He's looking for yet another extension to lift him beyond San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams' $23.01 million per year deal signed in 2021.

Tunsil is one of the league's better offensive linemen, though nothing about the Texans' play over the past couple of seasons would indicate that. He has earned Pro Bowls in three of his past four seasons, though some of that is due to his unusually high profile: he was acquired via a blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins that included multiple first-round picks. He was initially drafted 13th overall by the Dolphins in 2016.

Tunsil already angling for a massive extension despite a year left on his deal is an unusual move for a player whose play has equated to so little on-field success; the Texans have gone 20-43 over his four seasons with the team and have ranked dead last in yards gained over each of the past two years. Still, Tunsil may have the ultimate leverage: if the Texans draft a quarterback with the 2023 NFL Draft's first overall pick, that young passer will need an elite blindside protector. Investing in Tunsil could be an investment in the future of a franchise passer.