Report: Texans make decision on Laremy Tunsil massive contract

The Houston Texans made a big move on Tuesday to restructure the contract of left tackle Laremy Tunsil.

In order to clear up $8.4 million in cap space for 2022, the organization negotiated a deal to turn his $17.85 million salary into a $16.815 million bonus. His new salary for 2022 is $1.035 million before jumping back up to $18.5 million for 2023. His salary cap is now $17.7 million.

Tunsil signaled the move with a tweet on Tuesday, sharing the popular “I’m not leaving” meme from the Wolf of Wallstreet. NFL Networks’ Ian Rapoport confirmed the new numbers after the Texans offensive lineman tweeted his reaction.

The #Texans have restructured the contract of LT Laremy Tunsil, turning his base salary into a signing bonus and creating $8.4M in cap space. His cap number is now $17.7M down from $26.1M. https://t.co/Q1oj2p3Mch

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2022

Tunsil, 27, is now heading into his fourth season with the Texans. The Miami Dolphins negotiated a hefty trade with the Texans for the former first-round Ole Miss product after three seasons. He went No. 13 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft. The trade included Houston getting the left tackle and wide receiver Kenny Stills while the Dolphins got a 2021 1st round pick, a 2020 1st round pick, and a 2021 2nd round pick.

This season, Tunsil suffered an injury to his thumb that required surgery. Consequently, he only played five games after 33 games in the two seasons prior.

Texans set condition for Deshaun Watson suitors

The Houston Texans are serious about moving quarterback Deshaun Watson – and they’re only considering serious offers for him.

Following meetings with the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns, ESPN’s Dianna Russini shared that the Texans required one condition from teams hoping for a meeting with the former starter. First, Houston wanted to see trade packages, then they’d green-light meetings.

“The first step for the Saints, Panthers, and Browns in arranging a meeting with QB Deshaun Watson was presenting a trade package to the Texans, per multiple league sources,” Russini tweeted. “Once Houston approved, only then did they meet.”

Given that Watson has reportedly met with all three teams, it must mean that they’ve all presented favorable terms to the Texans. Now, the teams have to convince the former Clemson quarterback to waive his no-trade clause. The Atlanta Falcons are also making their case to Watson this week.