In 2024, the worst unit on the field each week for the Houston Texans was their offensive line. This week they traded away their three-time All-Pro left tackle Laremy Tunsil.
Tunsil played LT in 81 games over the past six seasons for Houston, including all 17 last year. He was the Texans’ most stable source of success. Every year besides 2021 (where he played just five games due to injury) Tunsil ranked in the top 10 of Pro Football Focus’ pass block rankings.
Houston traded Tunsil and a 2025 fourth-round pick to the Washington Commanders for third- and seventh-rounders in 2025 and second- and fourth-rounders in 2026. Tunsil has one year left on his contract worth a cap hit of $21.35 million.
Now, the Texans will have to try and replace him.
Pass Protection Problems
Houston’s biggest weakness the past two years, despite Tunsil’s presence, was its offensive line. The Texans allowed the second-most pressures in the league in 2024. In their Divisional Round matchup against the Chiefs, C.J. Stroud was sacked eight times.
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It was blatantly clear that changes needed to be made this offseason. But it’s shocking to see Houston let go of its only routine source of great pass protection, who nonetheless plays the most important position on the line.
The Texans are betting on two things with this trade. The first is that Tunsil, who far and away led the NFL in penalties last season, is about to hit a decline and will soon not be worth his contract. The second is that it was not the players on the roster but the scheme the offense was running that caused so many breakdowns.
No Tunsil, No Problem
Texans general manager Nick Caserio began Houston’s offseason by firing offensive line coach Chris Strausser, followed by offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.
Houston then hired Rams tight-end coach and passing game coordinator Nick Caley to replace Staley and chose to promote assistant offensive line coach Cole Popovich to the head role. The Texans need those two moves to be home runs.
Caserio then released veteran guard Shaq Mason, who started in 32 games over the past two seasons for Houston. Then came the Tunsil trade, which shocked not only fans and the media, but Tunsil’s teammates as well.
As should be expected with Caserio, there seems to be a plan in place.
Tytus Howard has played for the Texans in each of the first six years of his career, mostly at right tackle. He started the first 13 games there this season but finished the last six at left guard as a last ditch effort for the team. Reporters expect him to move to left tackle.
That will allow now-second-year tackle Blake Fisher to continue at RT, his natural position. The Texans also have third-year linemen Juice Scruggs and Jarrett Patterson, who have each played some guard. Houston signed former Pro Bowl guard Laken Tomlinson to a one-year deal on Tuesday.
Caserio is hoping that, since the offensive line can’t get much worse, more experience and reorganization will yield better results. However, the offensive line was so bad last season it cost Houston any chance at competing for a Super Bowl. They just got rid of their only great player. Given the personnel on the field, it’s hard to imagine them turning into an above-average unit.
Stacked Elsewhere
If, however, the move works out and the offensive line suffices, Houston will be a legit threat in the AFC. They’ve loaded up at every other position.
Houston plucked Christian Kirk from their division rival Jacksonville, who’s owed over $16 million next year. He’ll take over as a number-two receiving option next to Nico Collins. Then they sniped Super Bowl winning safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson who will eat another $4.5 million. He’s the final piece to what Houston hopes will be the best secondary in the league next year.
The Texans may look to use their draft capital for more help on the offensive line. Some insiders don’t believe that to be the case, though.
It’s nearly impossible to win anything meaningful in the NFL without good protection. On the backs of their defense and phenom quarterback, the Texans were able to put up a fight in Arrowhead in the Divisional Round— but they’ve never made it past that point in a season.
The draft capital Houston received for Tunsil should allow for cheap talent that can help build sustainable success once Stroud’s inevitable mega-contract arrives. Still, next season all eyes will be on the O-line.
If a pass rush sacks Stroud eight times in a game, let alone in a playoff game, Laremy Tunsil’s laugh will be heard all the way from Washington D.C.
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