NFL Insider explains the perplexing reason for Texans' trade of Pro Bowl OT Laremy Tunsil

[ASFN Admin]

Most Houston Texans fans are frustrated with the move of shifting away from offensive linemen like five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil and offensive lineman Kenyon Green, but one insider believes it'll benefit all parties after an underwhelming 2024 campaign.

The MMQB's Albert Breer recently wrote that while Houston moved off the five-time Pro Bowl left tackle to shore up more money to pay for free agents, that was one part of the equation. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans wanted a change in locker room culture after finishing 10-7 back-to-back years.

By shipping off Tunsil to the Washington Commanders, it can be a starting point entering 2025.

"Ryans feels like the culture he wants across the board is in place on defense but not on offense and that a toxic atmosphere in the offensive line room was a root cause," Breer wrote "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.

"So he’s gone in a move that took a lot of stomach from Ryans and GM Nick Caserio, and Houston’s looking to rework the position group. They’re doing this by giving themselves a lot of options—with more potential to come in the draft."

Tunsil was the headliner of the Texans' offseason, but not the only one that factored into the team's rebuild of the offensive line. Houston moved Green, a former first-round pick who likely was halfway out the door, to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for do-it-all defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

The Texans also released Shaq Mason as a post-June 1, thus freeing up over $9 million in cap space. That move was a major factor in helping Houston ink new extensions for cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and defensive end Danielle Hunter.

In place of the departed, Houston added four new offensive linemen. Two are expected to start, though it could be a battle between Ed Ingram and Laken Tomlinson on which takes over at guard. Cam Robinson, a nine-year veteran between Jacksonville and Minnesota, should start at left tackle for one year, but sights turn to the Texans adding a player within their first four picks at long-term options.

The hope is that the newfound Texans' offensive line won't give up 54 sacks in 2025 while going on a run to the postseason. If that occurs, it's likely because of a strong culture implemented inside the huddle.

"The reality is that the offensive culture fix, if they wanted to pursue it, wasn’t going to be easy, regardless of which path the Texans took," Breer wrote. "I’d applaud Caserio and Ryans for taking a tougher road, with the idea that it’ll lead to more sustainable results."

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: NFL Insider explains the reason for Texans' trade of Pro Bowl OT

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