Former Texans OT Laremy Tunsil has 'no hard feelings' for team following trade
When the news broke that the Houston Texans were trading five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders in exchange for multiple draft picks, there was only one question that needed to be answered.
Why?
After a conversation with head coach DeMeco Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio, Tunsil finally got a response. In the end, he realized the move wasn't personal.
Houston likely didn't want to trade its best offensive lineman after the other starting four players gave up 52 sacks to quarterback C.J. Stroud, but when building a new culture, someone must leave. The Texans have five young players all up for deals within the next two seasons.
Tunsil, who will turn 31 this offseason, was the odd man out to keep. After the conversation with Caserio and Ryans, that part became evident.
"They're just trying to keep the young guys together. It's as simple as that," Tunsil told the local media in Washington Mondayt morning. "When I was a rookie (in Miami) and I would talk to my O.G., who was Brandon Albert, and Jermon Bushrod and Mike Pouncey, they told me it's a young man's game. I've seen it for myself. They drafted some young guys, and they hit on every draft pick. They're trying to keep those guys together, so I fully understand."
LIVE: T Laremy Tunsil speaks to the media https://t.co/IWopzjlh3r
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) March 17, 2025
Still one of the best pass protectors in the sport, the Texans shipped a 2024 fourth-round pick and Tunsil off to protect offensive rookie of the year Jayden Daniels in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick, a 2025 seventh-round pick, a 2026 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-round pick. It's a risk, but Houston feels confident in its options to find stability at left tackle long-term in the draft.
Tunsil, who could ask for a new contract in D.C., understood that the move was a financial decision and nothing along the lines of a "toxic culture" being set in the locker room. Houston wants to prioritize paying its younger stars like Pro Bowl defensive Will Anderson Jr. and All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.
#Commanders LT Laremy Tunsil on his penalties last year:
— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) March 17, 2025
“Those 19 penalties I had last season was unacceptable. That’s something I want to address for sure, getting that number down or even having none…” pic.twitter.com/Fdpi1z3cwX
On Monday, Houston made one of those goals a reality, inking Stingley to a three-year, $90 million extension that will keep him at NRG Stadium through the 2029 season. Multiple players congratulated Stingley for the payday, including his former teammate.
"They gave that boy that bag," Tunsil said. "So I truly understand. It's no hard feelings. At the end of the day, it's a business. I don't take anything personal. It's no hard feelings against the Houston Texans."
The Texans will have seven picks in this year's draft, including four in the top 100.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Pro Bowl OT Laremy Tunsil explains the trade from Texans
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