Tunsil’s restuctured deal opens cap space
Texans Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil’s blockbuster contract was restructured Saturday afternoon, creating $10.106 million in salary cap space, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
Because of this agreement, the Texans are able to account for signing a total of 30 free agents this week, including quarterback Tyrod Taylor on a one-year deal worth up to $12.5 million and punter Cameron Johnston ona three-year, $8 million contract, restricted free agent tenders and re-signings, along with trading for four players, including defensive end Shaq Lawson and offensive tackle Marcus Cannon. Now, general manager Nick Caserio and the Texans’ personnel department have gained additional flexibility to sign additional free agents going forward.
Signed to a three-year, $66 million contract extension a year ago that included $50 million guaranteed with a $13 million signing bonus with an average of $22 million annually, Tunsil’s original $16.15 million base salary was converted into a $15.16 million signing bonus. He now has a $990,000 fully guaranteed base salary for 2021 and a salary cap figure of $9.29 million, down from $19.4 million. The $15.16 million signing bonus and original $13 million signing bonus are prorated across his 2022 and
2023 remaining years, which include the same base salaries agreed to last year.
Tunsil, who was paid a $10.85 million base salary last year for a first-year payout of $23.85 million, is due a $17.85 million base salary in 2022 with $10 million guaranteed for skill, injury and salary cap. In 2023, he’s due a nonguaranteed $19.75 million base salary. His new salary-cap figures have gone up from $21.1 million in 2021 to $26.15 million and $21.75 million in 2023 to $26.8 million.
Including the fifth-year club option of $10.85 million Tunsil was paid last year, the deal still has a total value of $76.35 million.
The Texans remained active Saturday in the NFL free agency market.
Former New York Jets outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins joined the Texans on a two-year contract with a base value of $6 million and a maximum value of $8 million, according to a source.
Jenkins visited the Texans on Friday along with wide receiver Chris Conley and remained in town overnight.
Jenkins finished last season on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, a torn labrum that required surgery and is expected to be ready by training camp. He also dealt with a dislocation last season.
A former third-round draft pick from Georgia, Jenkins has recorded 189 career tackles, 22 1/2 sacks, 46 quarterback hits and 25 tackles for losses.
Jenkins played last season under a one-year, $3.75 million contract that included $3.25 million guaranteed and a $1.75 million signing bonus. He had 32 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.
As the replacement for punter Bryan Anger, who was cut when he was due a $2.5 million base salary, Johnston’s deal includes $3 million guaranteed money and a $1 million signing bonus.
Johnston is a former Australian rules football standout and Big Ten Punter of the Year at Ohio State who once body-slammed New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara.
Johnston is due a fully guaranteed $2 million base salary in 2021 and nonguaranteed salaries of $2.3 million in 2022 and 2023. He has per-game active roster bonuses worth up to $200,000 in 2022 and 2023 and a $100,000 Pro Bowl incentive each of those years.