Browns bolster O-Line, acquire Tytus Howard from Texans

The Cleveland Browns are swinging a trade to help address their need for proven talent along the offensive line.

The Browns are acquiring veteran offensive lineman Tytus Howard from the Houston Texans, the Akron Beacon Journal reports. Houston will acquire a fifth-round pick as part of the deal while the Browns will give Howard a three-year, $63 million contract extension.

Howard, 29, was a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Alabama State. He has started 93 games across his seven NFL seasons to date, spending time at right tackle and both guard positions.

In 2025 Howard logged 555 snaps at right tackle, 334 at left guard and 132 at right guard while playing 88% of Houston’s offensive snaps.

Howard’s versatility could be key for the Browns as they look to rebuild their offensive line during the offseason. All five of Cleveland’s primary starters across the offensive line in 2025 are set to be free agents during the offseason.

That’s why addressing the unit was high on new Browns coach Todd Monken’s list of priorities when asked about it at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.

‘Gotta build it up front,’ Monken said in an interview with NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport. ‘It starts up front. It starts in the trenches on both sides of the ball.’

Here’s everything to know about the trade:

Tytus Howard trade details

Browns acquire:

OL Tytus Howard

Texans acquire:

2026 fifth-round pick

The Browns possess three fifth-round selections in the 2026 NFL Draft. It wasn’t immediately clear which would be sent to the Texans as part of the trade.

Houston might use that draft capital to find a replacement for Howard and a long-term bookend for 2025 second-round pick and starting left tackle Aireontae Ersery.