Source: Texans, Laremy Tunsil finalize 3-year, $66 million extension

HOUSTON -- The Texans have signed Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsilto a three-year deal, the team announced Friday.

The deal is worth $66 million with $50 million guaranteed, making Tunsil the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL, a source confirmed to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Tunsil, 25, negotiated his extension without using an agent. Terms of the deal were first reported by the Houston Chronicle.

With his new contract, Tunsil surpassesPhiladelphia Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson's annual salary; in November, Johnson signed a four-year extension worth $18 million per season.

Tunsil was drafted by theMiami Dolphinsin 2016 with the No. 13 pick. Texans head coach and general manager Bill O'Brien traded for him just before the start of the 2019 season for a package of draft picks, including two first-round selections.

"Whether we did the contract during the trade or we did it post-trade, we knew that Laremy Tunsil was going to get paid," O'Brien said Friday. "Because we feel like he is the top left tackle in the National Football League. So we went ahead and we made that trade to make our team better.

"We're thrilled to have Laremy Tunsil on our team. He's a great guy, he's really committed to the Houston Texans, he's committed to the city of Houston. He understands how important it is to be out in front relative to all of the things we can do help the community in Houston, so we're thrilled."

In his first season in Houston, Tunsil helped the Texans' revamped offensive line go from allowing an NFL-high 68 sacks in 2018 to 49 sacks (ranked 25th in the league) in 2019. He was named to his first Pro Bowl, becoming the first Texans offensive lineman to make the team since left tackle Duane Brown in 2014.

However, Tunsil led the league with 17 penalties in 2019, including 14 false starts. He also had three penalties declined. In his final season with the Dolphins,Tunsil had only eight penalties.

At the end of last season, O'Brien said the Texans wanted to keep Tunsil in Houston.

"Look, we want Laremy here," O'Brien said in January. "Laremy knows that. ... I can unequivocally state to you that we want Laremy here for a long time."