The Houston Texans traded for left tackle Laremy Tunsil just before the 2019 NFL campaign began with the intention of protecting Deshaun Watson for years to come, so it's no surprise the Texans want to lock Tunsil up long term.

Whether or not they are willing to pay the price Tunsil wants is another story.

According to Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle, Tunsil, who is entering the final year of his current contract, is aiming to make $19-20 million per year, which would make him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL.

Houston met with Tunsil's agent, Jimmy Sexton, at the Scouting Combine earlier this week.

Tunsil played in 14 games this past season, earning his first Pro Bowl appearance.

Ensuring that Tunsil is on board for the long haul should be of dire importance to the Texans, especially considering that Watson was sacked 44 times in 2019 even with Tunsil in tow.

Tunsil, who played his collegiate football at the University of Mississippi, was originally selected by the Miami Dolphins in the first round (13th pick overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft.

The 25-year-old spent the first three seasons of his career with the Dolphins before Miami opted to trade him along with wide receiver Kenny Stills to Houston back in September for multiple players and three draft picks, including two first-rounders.

The Texans won 10 games and captured the AFC South division title this past season, marking their fourth division crown in five years. Houston then went on to defeat the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs before falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round.