HOUSTON — There is just something about Houston Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil that exudes leadership.
He isn’t the loudest voice in any room, which is why his exclamations of “we won, we won” were intriguing as the Texans stepped off the field at Nissan Stadium. Houston left the Tennessee Titans coal in their stocking on Christmas Eve as the Texans edged their AFC South rivals 19-14 to snap their nine-game losing streak.
Snapping the nine-game losing streak was enough to make a 6-foot-5, stoic colossus skip.
Just as Tunsil redirects edge rushers away from the quarterback, so too does the three-time Pro Bowler divert attention toward his teammates rather than bring any attention to himself.
Tunsil isn’t boisterous or animated; he lets his play do the talking for him, as it did during the 2022 season when he only allowed one sack while playing all offensive snaps for Houston. That type of play goes a long way and speaks volumes with his teammates, especially his position group.
In his press conference on Wednesday to discuss his new three-year, $75 million extension, making him the highest-paid offensive tackle in the NFL. Tunsil wanted everyone to know that the focus would be on him being able to help some of the younger guys on the team become successful by being that leader they needed on and off the field.
“I’m showing those guys that it’s possible,” Tunsil said about his role in mentoring players such as right tackle Tytus Howard and offensive guard Kenyon Green. “If you stay consistent, if you work hard, the sky is the limit. I’m thankful just to be in this position to mentor those guys and show those guys that the sky is the limit. Whatever you put your mind to, you can get it done.”
“I’m showing those guys that it’s possible,” said Tunsil about how players like Tytus Howard and Kenyon Green factored into him wanting to stay with the team. “I’m thankful just to be in this position to mentor those guys and show those guys that the sky is the limit.” #Sarge pic.twitter.com/TF7yR9F4fD
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) March 22, 2023
Houston finished the season with a 3-14 record, their third consecutive season of winning less than five games. With David Culley and Lovie Smith being one-and-done coaches, the Texans are heading into another rebuilding season looking to find the winning ways that had them AFC contenders in the previous years.
Hiring former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator and Houston Texans player DeMeco Ryans played a significant part in the decision of the former Miami Dolphins 2016 first-round selection.
“My biggest thing with staying with the Houston Texans was I believe this organization is going to turn it around quickly,” said Tunsil. “This organization is on a rise, especially getting a guy like DeMeco Ryans in this building. He’s a young, energy guy, younger coach, and he was actually a player here too. So, getting a guy like that coming into the building means a lot. We’re trying to get things turned around.”
Tunsil is well aware that he will be teammates with many rookies and free agents on prove-it deals. Yet, he is determined to be that building block to help them and his second-year players experience that winning feeling.
“As far as my role on this team, I view myself as the X-factor for this entire team and a mentor,” Tunsil expressed to the media on Wednesday. “For the young guys like Jalen Pitre, Dameon Pierce, and Kenyon Green, I view myself as a mentor. Like a captain, a captain role.
“I want to help those guys in any way that I can. Whenever they need me, they can hit me up. If they’ve got any questions, they can hit me up. I’m here for those guys. I’m here for this team. I’m here to contribute to the team and help them to win games also.”
