Cleveland will send a fifth-round pick in return for the 29-year-old offensive lineman. Alex Slitz / Getty Images
March 2, 2026Updated 8:59 am EST
The Houston Texans are trading offensive lineman Tytus Howard to the Cleveland Browns, league sources tell The Athletic. Cleveland will send a fifth-round pick to Houston in return for the 29-year-old, who has started 16 games in each of the past two seasons.
As part of the deal, Howard is set to get a three-year, $63 million extension.
Howard was entering the final year of his deal in Houston, having played 93 games for the Texans over his seven-year career.
His arrival will begin what is expected to be a significant rebuild of the offensive line in Cleveland. The Browns have six veteran offensive linemen eligible to hit free agency next week — and at least four are not expected to return. So this move for Howard was necessary and sensible, and it keeps the team’s options open going forward.
Howard will either be Cleveland’s starting right guard or right tackle. The Browns hold pick Nos. 6 and 24 in the first round and are expected to use at least one of those on an offensive lineman, probably a tackle. Veteran guard Joel Bitonio is still choosing between retirement and the chance to either hit free agency or return to the Browns.
Howard brings experience, and the team can move on to pending decisions at quarterback and wide receiver, knowing it has at least one proven starter in place on a line that will be shaped throughout the spring and summer.
As for the Texans, the team is getting ahead of a cap crunch with big extensions on the horizon, headlined by Will Anderson Jr.
Mar 2, 2026
Connections: Sports Edition
Spot the pattern. Connect the terms
Find the hidden link between sports terms
Play today’s puzzle
