It feels like every offseason, a high-profile name earns a significant pay raise. Most times, quarterbacks take over the chatter given their team status.
However, there are moments where conversations turn to offensive linemen and mostly the tackle spot.
For decades, left tackles have been the second-most important position on the offense. They’re the blindside protector for quarterbacks, using their bodies as shields to ensure pass rushers remain out of the backfield. More often than not, they’re the unsung heroes of Super Bowl-caliber rosters.
Laremy Tunsil has not only been one of the best linemen in Texans’ history but also the one constant off NRG drive before the C.J. Stroud era. After joining the squad in 2019, Tunsil has been to four Pro Bowls and earned one of the highest pass-blocking grades from Pro Football Focus. After being called a ‘very good starter’ by PFF in 2022, Tunsil turned that into a career-defining season and a new lucrative three-year extension.
Contracts will always be a selling point for players to improve, but where does Tunsil stack up compared to others? Here’s every annual salary for the top 32 left tackles around the league going into the 2024 season. Contract numbers are via Over the Cap.
1. Laremy Tunsil – Houston Texans: $25 million per year
(Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)
2. Andrew Thomas — New York Giants: $23.5 million per year
Dec 25, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
3. Trent Williams – San Francisco 49ers: $23.01 million per year
Jan 7, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams (71) blocks against Los Angeles Rams linebacker Byron Young (0) during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
4. Jordan Mailata – Philadelphia Eagles: $22 million per year
Dec 3, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata (68) blocks against San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97) at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
5. Dion Dawkins – Buffalo Bills: $20.02 million per year
Jan 15, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (73) celebrates during the fourth quarter of the AFC Wild Card playoff game against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium. The Bills won the game 47-17. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
6. Jake Matthews – Atlanta Falcons: $18.5 million per year
Dec 31, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Atlanta Falcons tackle Jake Matthews (70) blocks against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
7. Kolton Miller – Las Vegas Raiders: $18.005 million per year
Nov 26, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders offensive tackle Kolton Miller (74) defends against Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Charles Omenihu (90) in the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
8. Cam Robinson – Jacksonville Jaguars: $17.583 million per year
Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Cam Robinson (74) walks off the field after being ejected for fighting with Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Derrick Brown (95), not shown, during the fourth quarter of a regular season NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars blanked the Carolina Panthers 26-0. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
9. Garrett Bolles – Denver Broncos: $17 million per year
Jun 5, 2017; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos tackle Garret Bolles (72) and tackle Justin Murray (64) during organized training activities at the UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
10. Orlando Brown Jr. – Bengals: $16.023 million per year
Dec 31, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (75) at the line of scrimmage against the Kansas City Chiefs during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
11. Jonah Williams – Arizona Cardinals: $15 million per year
Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Jonah Williams (73) blocks Cleveland Browns defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) in the first quarter during a Week 18 NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
12. Taylor Decker – Detriot Lions: $14.91 million per year
Sep 7, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Detroit Lions guard Jonah Jackson (73) and offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68) at the line of scrimmage against the Kansas City Chiefs during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
13. Terron Armstead – Miami Dolphins: $12.87 million per year
Sep 24, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Terron Armstead (72) leads the team onto the field before a game against the Denver Broncos at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
14. Ronnie Stanley – Baltimore Ravens: $7.5 million per year
Jul 31, 2016; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (79) warms up during the morning session of training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
15. Ikem Ekonwu – Carolina Panthers: $6.89 million per year
Jan 7, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu (79) blocks as Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Calijah Kancey (94) rushes in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
16. Joseph Noteboom – Los Angeles Rams: $6.75 million per year
Jun 11, 2019; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams tackle Joseph Noteboom (70) blocks for quarterback Jared Goff (16) during minicamp at Cal Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
17. J.C. Latham – Tennessee Titans: $6.511 million per year
(Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News)
18. Tyron Smith – New York Jets: $6.5 million per yar
Aug 21, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith (77) blocs Houston Texans outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins (50) in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
19. Charles Cross – Seattle Seahawks: $5.345 million per year
Nov 12, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Charles Cross (67) exits the locker room before a game against the Washington Commanders at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
20. Patrick Mekari – Baltimore Ravens: $5.15 million per year
Aug 27, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens guard Patrick Mekari (65) during the first quarter against the Washington Commanders at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
21. Olu Fashanu – New York Jets: $5.127 million per year
(Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)
22. Jedrick Wills – Cleveland Browns: $4.925 million per year
Oct 16, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) walks off the field after the Browns lost to New England Patriots at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
23. Alaric Jackson – Los Angeles Rams: $4.89 million per year
Jan 7, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Alaric Jackson (77) blocks San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (98) during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
24. George Fant – Seattle Seahawks: $4.55 million per year
(Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports)
25. Taliese Fuaga – New Orleans Saints: $4.337 million per year
(Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports)
26. Rashawn Slater – Los Angeles Chargers: $4.157 million per year
Sep 15, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws as offensive tackle Rashawn Slater (70) provides coverage against Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark (55) during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
27. Broderick Jones – Pittsburgh Steelers: $4.15 million per year
Aug 19, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones (77) run blocks at the line of scrimmage against Buffalo Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
28. Yosh Nijman – Panthers: $4 million per year
Nov 27, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Yosh Nijman (73) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
29. Trevor Penning – New Orleans Saints: $3.535 million per year
Mar 4, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Northern Iowa offensive lineman Trevor Penning (OL38) goes through drills during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
30. Christian Darrisaw – Minnesota Vikings: $3.336 million per year
Sep 25, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (2) reacts center Garrett Bradbury (56) and offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw (71) after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
31. Tyler Guyton – Dallas Cowboys: $3.288 million per year
(Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports)
32. Blake Brandel – Minnesota Vikings: $3.166 million per year
Oct 2, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Blake Brandel (64) during the NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports
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