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The Left Tackle Who Got Traded Twice

October 26, 2026

Laremy Tunsil has been traded twice. On August 31, 2019, Houston gave Miami two first-round picks and a second-rounder for him, in a deal run by a team with no general manager. On March 10, 2025, Houston traded him to Washington for a second, a third, a fourth, and a seventh.

Between the two trades, Tunsil made five Pro Bowls in six Houston seasons and signed two extensions that each made him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the league. Houston drafted quarterback C.J. Stroud second overall in 2023, and in 2025 it traded Tunsil instead of signing him to a third extension.

The 2019 Trade: Houston Buys

In 2018, Deshaun Watson was sacked 62 times, the most in the NFL.2 The Texans had no general manager. Head coach Bill O'Brien was running the front office himself.

On August 31, 2019 — the same Saturday Houston traded Jadeveon Clowney to Seattle for Barkevious Mingo, Jake Martin, and a 2020 third-rounder — Houston sent two first-round picks (2020, 2021), a 2021 second-rounder, tackle Julie'n Davenport, and special-teamer Johnson Bademosi to Miami for Tunsil, receiver Kenny Stills, a 2020 fourth-rounder, and a 2021 sixth-rounder.5

The Dolphins were in the early stages of a multiyear rebuild under first-year coach Brian Flores. They had picked up Tunsil's $10.35 million fifth-year option for 2020 and were unable to reach a contract extension with him.2

Tunsil was 25 and the 13th overall pick in 2016. He had been expected to go first overall before a video of him smoking from a gas-mask bong surfaced shortly before the draft, and Miami drafted him at No. 13. He started 44 games in three seasons in Miami.2 In 2019, his first season in Houston, he made the Pro Bowl.4

Pro Football Rumors called the return "a Khalil Mack-level haul."1 The Ringer called it a fleece of "the GM-less Texans," who were trying to protect Watson while he was still on his rookie deal.3

What Miami's Haul Became

Miami traded two of the three headline picks again. The second-rounder stayed in Miami.

The 2020 first-rounder (No. 26 overall) went to Green Bay on April 23, 2020. The Packers drafted Jordan Love. Miami drafted Noah Igbinoghene at No. 30 with Green Bay's first-rounder, and the other pick in the return, No. 136, went from Miami to Houston in the No. 111 trade two days later and then to the Los Angeles Rams, who drafted Brycen Hopkins.5

The 2021 first-rounder (No. 3 overall) went to San Francisco on March 26, 2021. The 49ers drafted Trey Lance — a story told in full elsewhere in this archive.5

The 2021 second-rounder (No. 36) stayed in Miami. The Dolphins drafted safety Jevon Holland, a starter in Miami from 2021 to 2024.522

The two late-round picks Houston received moved again. The 2020 fourth-rounder (No. 111) went back to Miami on April 25, 2020, in a trade that sent No. 136 and No. 141 to Houston; Miami drafted guard Solomon Kindley at No. 111, and Houston drafted John Reid at No. 141. The 2021 sixth-rounder (No. 202) went to Cincinnati on March 19, 2021, with Houston receiving quarterback Ryan Finley and the No. 233 pick; Cincinnati drafted running back Chris Evans at No. 202. Kenny Stills caught passes in Houston in the 2019 and 2020 seasons.23 Neither Davenport nor Bademosi was traded again in the tree.5

The headline return — two firsts and a second — became Jordan Love, Trey Lance, and Jevon Holland.5

Between the Trades

Tunsil made five Pro Bowls in six Houston seasons. The Texans paid him at the top of the tackle market twice. In 2020, a three-year, $66 million extension made him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history. In March 2023, a three-year, $75 million extension ($50 million fully guaranteed) made him the highest-paid tackle again, at $25 million a year. He negotiated both deals himself.6

Houston drafted C.J. Stroud second overall in 2023 and rebuilt around him. In 2024, Stroud was sacked 52 times, the second-most in the league, and the Texans allowed the fifth-highest pressure rate in football.187

In 2024, Pro Football Focus graded Tunsil's pass blocking at 88.6, fourth among tackles, and he allowed two sacks in 1,026 snaps.1424 Over the three seasons through 2024, his pressure rate (3.1%) was second among all starting tackles, behind only Tristan Wirfs (2.2%).7

He was also the league's most penalized player in 2024: 17 penalties, including 12 false starts.19 At 30, he had two years left on his $25-million-a-year contract.

The 2025 Trade: Houston Sells

On March 10, 2025, Houston traded Tunsil to Washington. The Commanders got Tunsil and a 2025 fourth-rounder (No. 128). The Texans got a 2025 third (No. 79), a 2025 seventh (No. 236), a 2026 second, and a 2026 fourth.8

CBS's Chris Trapasso wrote: "Trading your franchise LT with your star rookie contract QB entering his third season (and when the majority of the rest of your OL was brutal) is a perplexing choice by the Texans."7 Analyst Brett Kollmann posted Tunsil's pressure-rate line — 3.1% over three seasons, second to Tristan Wirfs — and added: "But sure yeah he's super replaceable. Great trade."7

GM Nick Caserio, on SportsRadio 610, said the trade was not one Houston had set out to make: "In the Laremy [Tunsil] situation, that was something we weren't certainly intent on doing, or that we were motivated to do. I think when we just looked at the situation, we felt that it was an opportunity in front of us that made sense. … Washington had a need, and then we consummated a trade."9

Head coach DeMeco Ryans said: "Trading Laremy was really tough. There's nothing easy about that because Laremy is such a great player. You put the tape on Sunday, he's arguably one of the best one-on-one pass protectors in the NFL."10

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported that Ryans saw the culture he wanted in place on defense but not on offense, and that a toxic atmosphere in the offensive line room was a root cause: "And while Tunsil wasn't a bad guy (he was actually well-liked), he wasn't the type of leader to turn the ship — and needed to be as one of its captains."11 Ryans denied the toxic-room report: "There was nothing toxic in the room. Those guys showed up to work everyday, those guys were a tight group."10

NFL insider James Palmer added the financial logic: the Texans didn't want to hand a 31-year-old tackle another massive contract, worried his best days were behind him, and wanted new leadership in the room.12

It wasn't just Tunsil. Houston traded Kenyon Green to Philadelphia, released Shaq Mason, and signed Cam Robinson to a one-year deal.2119 The entire offensive line room was being reset around Stroud's third season.

Washington was coming off a 12-win season and an NFC Championship appearance in 2024, with Jayden Daniels entering his second season.25 GM Adam Peters explained the trade on the Pat McAfee Show: "when we had the opportunity to get Tunsil, which doesn't come around that often to get a blue-chip left tackle, one of the best tackles in the league, so we felt that was an opportunity we didn't want to pass up. We want to protect Jayden, he's the cornerstone of our franchise, and we want to make sure we're protecting him."13

Head coach Dan Quinn called Daniels with the news: "I said, 'Man, I love you, but you know who really, really loves you? Adam.'" Of Tunsil's game, Quinn said: "Not just the length and the size of Larry, but it's the feet. That's what makes him so challenging to go against."14

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler polled scouts and coaches on their favorite offseason moves, and the Tunsil trade ranked near the top. "He's still a top-three tackle for me," one AFC scout said. "Anything you can do to protect Jayden Daniels and load up while he's on his rookie deal is smart."15

In 2025, Tunsil allowed two sacks in 14 games for Washington. On March 9, 2026, Washington signed him to a two-year, $60.2 million extension — $30.1 million a year, the first $30-million-a-year contract for an offensive lineman.162627

What Houston's Haul Became

The 2025 third-rounder (No. 79) stayed in Houston. The Texans drafted Iowa State receiver Jaylin Noel, who caught 26 passes for 292 yards as a rookie and added 1,438 all-purpose yards as a return specialist.1728

The 2025 seventh-rounder (No. 236) had already traveled — Denver to Philadelphia in the Albert Okwuegbunam deal, Philadelphia to Washington in the Jahan Dotson trade — before reaching Houston in the Tunsil deal. Houston sent it to Jacksonville on April 25, 2025, and Jacksonville drafted LeQuint Allen.20

The 2026 second-rounder went to Las Vegas on April 24, 2026, and Las Vegas drafted Treydan Stukes at No. 38. The 2026 fourth-rounder stayed in Houston, and the Texans drafted Febechi Nwaiwu at No. 106.20

The 2025 fourth-rounder Houston sent back (No. 128) became Washington receiver Jaylin Lane.20

The Ledger

Two trades, one player: August 31, 2019, and March 10, 2025.

2019 — Houston buys: Tunsil is 25. The price is two first-rounders, a second-rounder, and two players. Houston has no general manager; Bill O'Brien is running the front office. Miami is in its first year under Brian Flores. Houston is protecting Deshaun Watson on his rookie deal.

2025 — Houston sells: Tunsil is 30. The price is a second, a third, a fourth, and a seventh. Albert Breer reported a culture problem in the offensive line room; DeMeco Ryans denied the room was toxic. James Palmer reported Houston would not offer Tunsil another top-of-market contract. Washington is protecting Jayden Daniels on his rookie deal.

Both buyers were protecting a young franchise quarterback on his rookie deal.315 Miami traded Tunsil after picking up his fifth-year option without reaching an extension.2 Houston traded him with two years left on a $25-million-a-year deal,68 after James Palmer reported Houston would not offer him another top-of-market contract.12

Miami's three headline picks became Jordan Love, Trey Lance, and Jevon Holland.5 Houston's four picks became Jaylin Noel in Houston, LeQuint Allen in Jacksonville, Treydan Stukes in Las Vegas, and Febechi Nwaiwu in Houston.20 Washington made Tunsil the first $30-million-a-year offensive lineman on March 9, 2026.1627

After his first Houston season, in which he was called for 17 penalties, Tunsil said in 2020: "Moral of the story is just I want to improve. I want to keep improving every year that I have."4

Sources

  1. Pro Football Rumors: Laremy Tunsil trade history — the August 31, 2019 item carries the full 2019 terms, the no-general-manager detail, and the "Khalil Mack-level haul" line
  2. Sportsnet (AP): Texans acquire Laremy Tunsil, Kenny Stills from Dolphins — Watson's 62 sacks in 2018; the 2019 terms; Flores's first year, the multiyear rebuild, and the $10.35 million fifth-year option; Tunsil's 44 starts in Miami
  3. The Ringer: The Dolphins Are Trusting the Process — the "fleece" of the "GM-less Texans" and the Watson rookie-deal window
  4. ClutchPoints: Tunsil reveals his main goal for next season — Tunsil's 2020 comments on his 17 penalties in the 2019 season, including the closing quote; his first Pro Bowl (2019)
  5. Football Trade Trees: 2019 Texans–Dolphins Tunsil trade tree — full 2019 trade terms and every downstream resolution of the 2019 picks, including No. 136's path to the Rams, No. 141 to Houston, and the headline return's three resolutions (Jordan Love, Trey Lance, and Jevon Holland)
  6. The Comeback: Tunsil's historic contract extensions — the 2020 ($66 million) and March 2023 ($75 million, $50 million fully guaranteed) extensions, both negotiated by Tunsil himself
  7. SI: Texans' decision to trade Tunsil left experts confused — Houston's fifth-highest pressure rate in 2024; Tunsil's 3.1% pressure rate, second to Tristan Wirfs; the Trapasso and Kollmann posts
  8. Pro Football Rumors: Texans to trade LT Laremy Tunsil to Commanders — full 2025 trade terms; Tunsil, 30, with two seasons left on his contract; the Shaq Mason release
  9. Yardbarker: Texans GM sounds off on controversial decision — Caserio's SportsRadio 610 account of the trade
  10. SI: Ryans opens up about the Tunsil trade — "Trading Laremy was really tough"; denies toxic room reports
  11. SI: Insider exposes surprising reason for Texans' trade — Breer's reporting on the offensive line room's culture; Stroud's 52 sacks in 2024; the Green trade, Mason release, and Robinson signing
  12. Yardbarker: Details emerge on Tunsil-Commanders trade — opened in critic round 1 (2026-11-10) and confirmed: James Palmer's reporting that Houston was never going to offer Tunsil, at 31, a new massive contract, that his best days may be behind him, and that Houston wanted new leadership in the line room
  13. SI: Peters explains Tunsil trade on Pat McAfee Show — opened in critic round 1 (2026-11-10) and confirmed: Adam Peters's Pat McAfee Show quote, verbatim, including "and we want to make sure we're protecting him"
  14. SI: Dan Quinn gets honest on Tunsil — opened in critic round 1 (2026-11-10) and confirmed in part: Dan Quinn's quotes (the call to Jayden Daniels; "the length and the size of Larry … it's the feet") and the 2024 PFF figures (88.6 pass-blocking grade, two sacks allowed in 1,026 snaps); the article does not state the fourth-place ranking, which is seated on source 24
  15. SI: ESPN reaction to Commanders' Tunsil trade — opened in critic round 1 (2026-11-10) and confirmed: Jeremy Fowler's polling of scouts, executives, and coaches on their favorite offseason moves, in which the Tunsil trade ranked near the top, and the AFC scout's "top-three tackle" quote, including protecting Jayden Daniels while he is on his rookie deal
  16. NBC Sports: Commanders extend left tackle Laremy Tunsil — opened in critic round 1 (2026-11-10) and confirmed in part: the March 9, 2026 extension adds two years and $60.2 million, per Adam Schefter; the article does not state the first-$30-million-a-year superlative or the 2025 sack line, which are seated on sources 26 and 27
  17. Wikipedia: Jaylin Noel — opened in critic round 1 (2026-11-10) and confirmed in part: Noel was drafted by Houston at No. 79, a pick acquired in the Tunsil trade, out of Iowa State, and caught 26 passes for 292 yards as a rookie; the page does not print the 1,438 all-purpose yards, which are seated on source 28
  18. TSN: Texans QB C.J. Stroud working to become stronger, faster — opened in critic round 1 (2026-11-10) and confirmed verbatim: Stroud was sacked 52 times in 2024, second most in the NFL, according to Next Gen Stats; the 52-sack figure is also stated in source 11
  19. A to Z Sports: Texans receive multi-year draft haul in Tunsil trade — opened in critic round 1 (2026-11-10) and confirmed verbatim: Tunsil committed a league-high 17 penalties in 2024, including 12 false starts; the Texans released Shaq Mason (also in source 8)
  20. Football Trade Trees: 2025 Texans–Commanders Tunsil trade tree — No. 236's Denver–Philadelphia–Washington path and flip to Jacksonville (LeQuint Allen); the 2026 second-rounder to Las Vegas (Treydan Stukes); the 2026 fourth-rounder kept by Houston (Febechi Nwaiwu); No. 128 became Jaylin Lane
  21. Yardbarker: Texans to sign veteran LT Cam Robinson to replace Tunsil — opened in critic round 1 (2026-11-10) and confirmed: Cam Robinson signed for one year, up to $14.5 million, per Adam Schefter, and Kenyon Green was traded to Philadelphia for C.J. Gardner-Johnson and a 2026 sixth-rounder
  22. Giants.com: Safety Jevón Holland officially signs with Giants — Holland spent the first four seasons of his career with Miami after being selected in the second round (No. 36 overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft, playing 60 games with 57 starts — the seat for Holland as a starter in Miami from 2021 to 2024
  23. Wikipedia: Kenny Stills — Stills's career history lists Houston (2019–2020); he caught 40 passes for Houston in 2019 and 11 in 2020 before his November 27, 2020 release
  24. SI: Commanders make blockbuster trade with Texans for Pro Bowl OT — according to Pro Football Focus, Tunsil's 88.6 pass-blocking grade ranked 4th among 141 tackles in 2024, and he allowed two sacks in 1,026 offensive snaps
  25. Wikipedia: 2024 Washington Commanders season — Washington finished the 2024 regular season 12–5 and lost the NFC Championship at Philadelphia; Jayden Daniels, drafted No. 2 overall in 2024, was the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
  26. NBC Sports (Rotoworld): Laremy Tunsil player news — the Rotoworld item on the extension: Washington signed Tunsil to a two-year, $60.2 million extension, with $61.5 million in guaranteed money including a $32.5 million signing bonus, per Adam Schefter, and in 2025 Tunsil appeared on 802 snaps while allowing two sacks, per Pro Football Focus
  27. Touchdown Wire: Laremy Tunsil receives record deal with Washington Commanders — Tunsil became the first offensive lineman to receive $30 million, and in 2025 he allowed two sacks and 15 quarterback pressures in 14 games for Washington, per Pro Football Focus
  28. Reuters: Texans activate WR Jaylin Noel from non-football injury list — August 7, 2026 report (Field Level Media): Noel caught 26 passes for 292 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie and finished with 1,438 all-purpose yards, 22nd in the NFL, returning 31 punts for 335 yards and 29 kicks for 799 yards
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About this article: it was drafted with AI assistance from the Football Trade Trees database and public reporting, then reviewed by a human editor. Spot an error? Email [email protected].