Cleveland Browns Trade for Texans Tackle Tytus Howard in $63M Deal

The Cleveland Browns have struck a deal to bring offensive tackle Tytus Howard from Houston in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick. Howard is expected to sign a three-year, $63 million extension as Cleveland works to rebuild their offensive line.

Cleveland Browns officials have reached an agreement to bring offensive tackle Tytus Howard to their roster from the Houston Texans, trading away a fifth-round draft selection, according to a source with knowledge of the transaction who spoke to The Associated Press on Monday.

The source requested anonymity since neither franchise has publicly confirmed the transaction, which cannot be finalized until the NFL’s new league year begins on March 11.

Howard, entering his eighth professional season, is anticipated to receive a three-year contract extension valued at $63 million. Houston selected him in the first round of the 2019 draft, and he has made 93 starts during regular season play.

While Howard is projected to fill the right tackle position, he brings versatility having previously lined up at left tackle and right guard.

This transaction marks Cleveland’s initial move toward reconstructing an offensive line where the majority of starters face free agency. Last season, the Browns utilized 10 different offensive line configurations due to various injuries.

Dawand Jones remains the only returning Week 1 starter at left tackle, though he’s currently rehabilitating from knee surgery. Left guard Joel Bitonio, who appeared in all 17 Browns contests last season as the unit’s only constant, has yet to determine whether he’ll retire following 12 seasons or potentially return to the team.

During last week’s NFL Scouting Combine, General Manager Andrew Berry expressed admiration for how the Chicago Bears approached their offensive line reconstruction last year.

Chicago implemented four new starters through various methods: two via trades, one through free agency, and one second-round draft selection. The Bears also brought in new head coach Ben Johnson while retaining General Manager Ryan Poles.

Cleveland recently hired Todd Monken as their new head coach following Kevin Stefanski’s dismissal, while Berry enters his seventh campaign as general manager.

“If you think about it, they did a combination of internal development, veteran editions and draft, right?” Berry said about the Bears. “You had Darnell Wright, who he really came into his own at right tackle this past year. They traded for Joe Thuney, they traded for Jonah Jackson, they signed (Drew) Dalman in free agency and they drafted Ozzy Trapilo in the second round. So it’s a nice mixture of youth and experience and I think that we would look to take a similar approach if the player markets line up for us.”

Cleveland enters next month’s draft with nine selections, including both the sixth and 24th picks in the opening round.