Deshaun Watson #4, and Tytus Howard #71 were teammates with the Houston Texans and are reunited with the Cleveland Browns.
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Deshaun Watson #4, and Tytus Howard #71 were teammates with the Houston Texans and are reunited with the Cleveland Browns.
For the first time in what will be an eight-year career in 2026, new Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Tytus Howard will suit up somewhere other than Houston after an opportunistic trade for a fifth-round pick landed him as the first piece for Cleveland’s new-look offensive front. Perhaps there are some jitters coming into a new work environment for Howard, but he can rest assured knowing there are, at least, some familiar faces for him in Cleveland.
Howard will reunite with the quarterback who was under center behind him in his first two seasons in the league, Deshaun Watson. who was a three-time Pro Bowler with the Texans. Browns fans, of course, have a very different view of Watson, who has started just 19 games for the Browns since signing a $230 million guaranteed contract in 2022.
Howard, though, remembers Watson fondly and could be blocking for him again in 2026, if Watson wins back the job after two Achilles tendon surgeries.
Tytus Howard ‘Glad to See’ Deshaun Watson Healthy for Browns
Speaking to the Browns team website on Thursday, Howard praised Watson and sounded hopeful that he might get back on the field in 2026. Watson has not played since October of 2024.
“Me and Deshaun have a good relationship, we use to hang together all the time in Houston, me him and (Laremy) Tunsil and the guys,” Howard said. “Deshaun’s a great guy, we know what he can do. Tons of potential on the field. Glad to see he’s here, he is back healthy now.”
Howard did not mention Shedeur Sanders by name, but he, of course, is the incumbent starter. The Browns still have Dillon Gabriel kicking around, and are expected to eventually add another player to compete for the 2026 job.
“I am excited to see them boys compete,” Howard said. “I am going to do everything up front to give them all the time in the day to do what they’ve got to do.”
Tytus Howard Has Link to Browns’ Line Coach George Warhop
Howard is also very excited to be working again with offensive line coach George Warhop, who was in Houston in 2022, and moved on to Baltimore for the last two seasons, working with Browns head coach Todd Monken, the Ravens‘ ex-offensive coordinator.
Said Howard: “He’s all about productivity and getting the most out of players. Me, in 2022, I felt like that was the turning point in my career when I started getting the most out of my game. And I got better, and it was all because of coach, man. He stayed on me every day, making sure I was doing everything I was supposed to do.”
‘He Brought That Mean Streak Out’
Howard said Warhop should have an impact across the Browns’ retooled offensive line, as he tends to expect the same from the highest-paid starter as he does from practice-squadders.
“I would say he just brought that mean streak out of everybody,” Howard said. “With his style of coaching, you gotta be ready to be nasty on the field. Warhop’s gonna bring that you of you, he is going to preach it every day. He lives by it. So guys in the room have to to play that way or you can’t play for him.
“That’s the thing about him—if you can’t match his intensity, it’s going to be tough for you in that room. But he’s a great coach. All the players I have known have got a ton of respect for him.”