'We're Best Tandem in NFL!' Will Tunsil & Tytus New Texans Contracts Pay Off?

"We're one of the best tandems in football, if not the best tandem in the NFL," Laremy Tunsil says of his pairing with Tytus Howard. And now the Texans are paying them both that way.

It is the belief of Houston Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil that he is an anchor of a group that is building toward being elite, and that his teaming with right tackle Tytus Howard already puts the twosome on that lofty perch.

"We're one of the best [offensive tackle] tandems in football, if not the best tandem in the NFL," Tunsil said recently. "I say that whole-heartedly."

And now, when it comes to paydays? It is clear that the Texans front office agrees with the Pro Bowler, all of which adds up to having high expectations this year, despite Houston's 3-13-1 record in 2022.

On Wednesday morning, news broke that Howard had agreed to a new three-year extension worth $56 million. That creates not only a talent bookend situation but also a financial one, as Tunsil this offseason also got an extension, his worth up to $75 million, the deal also including $60 million in total guarantees, making Tunsil the highest-paid offensive tackle in league history.

That was a market-setting deal. Howard probably benefitted from that. And now the Texans need to reap the benefits themselves. 

Tunsil had arguably his best career season for Texans in 2022. He finished his fourth season in Houston with 676 pass-blocking snaps, 17 pressures, and one sack. Howard has developed into a standout on the other side. Howard allowed three sacks on 997 snaps last season. These numbers have been relatively consistent over his four years in the NFL, allowing just two sacks each season from 2019-2021.

The two first-rounders are now charged with the responsibility of protecting another first-rounder in rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. ... and a Houston cannot be blamed for thinking things are coming together nicely here.

Said Tunsil of staying in Houston: "I consider this home... I built relationships with the coaches. I built relationships with the players. I built relationships with the front office. So just staying here ... it means a lot."

And part of "a lot'' is the money just spend on two terrific tackles ... with the Texans excited about an on-field payoff.

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