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.
Tytus Howard contract details
Below is a look at the terms of Howard’s extension with the Browns:
- Term: 3 years
- Total value: $63 million
- Average annual value (AAV): $21 million
If Howard remains at right tackle, he would be the NFL’s 17th-highest-paid offensive tackle in terms of AAV, per OverTheCap.com.
If Howard plays inside, he would be tied with Landon Dickerson as the third-highest-paid offensive guard in terms of AAV.