Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders got backing from Tytus Howard.
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Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders got backing from Tytus Howard.
New Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Tytus Howard has a pre-existing relationship with Deshaun Watson, but he’s sold on Shedeur Sanders as a potential franchise quarterback.
The Browns acquired Howard just before free agency opened, sending a fifth-round pick to the Houston Texans. He quickly signed a three-year, $63 million extension with Cleveland.
One of the first people Howard met upon arriving was Sanders and the veteran came away impressed.
“I met Shedeur when I came in last week,” Howard said. “He’s a great kid and he has a lot of confidence. I like that in a quarterback. He definitely has the pedigree. He has all the talent in the world. I’m a big fan.”
The connection runs deeper than just a first impression. Howard played college ball at Alabama State, which shared a division with Jackson State — where Sanders played before transferring to Colorado. Howard is well-versed on what Sanders brings to the table.
“I’ve been following him ever since he was there,” Howard said. “I know that he has all the tools to be a really good quarterback in this league, and he’s shown that he can be a great leader also. So I’m excited to work with him. I’m excited to get to know him a little bit more, and I’m looking forward to blocking for him. I know Shedeur can be a great player in this league.”
Tytus Howard Blocked for Browns QB Deshaun Watson With Texans
Howard overlapped with Watson as teammates on the Texans. Watson was the No. 12 pick in 2017 and Howard was brought in as the No. 23 overall pick in 2019.
“My first two years in Houston, I blocked for Deshaun and it was a great experience,” Howard said. “That first year in 2019, we won a lot of games, went to the playoffs and eventually ended up losing in a divisional (round) to the Chiefs. But Deshaun made a lot of plays for us. He’s a great player. He’s a great guy off the field. So as quarterback and O-linemen, we hung out a lot off the field, and on the field, we had a good relationship also. But Deshaun reached out a couple times and we talked. Excited to block up front and be able to get that boy some time.”
Howard had a lot of good things to say about Watson and Sanders but didn’t want to give either an edge in what the team has dubbed an open competition. Either way, Howard will do his job.
“I wouldn’t say. I just know that it’s going to be a fair competition between those guys,” Howard said. “When it comes down to playing quarterback, whatever guy goes out there and takes advantage of leading the team in the right way and having everyone want to be able to buy into what they’re putting out there on the field and who they are as a person, that’s the guy that’s going to win the job.”
Tytus Howard Big Fan of Browns OL Coach George Warhop
Another familiar face for Howard in Cleveland is offensive line coach George Warhop. He previously coached Howard with the Texans.
“(It’s) just his attention to detail when it comes to technique, play style,” Howard said. “You’re going to get the same guy every single day. He’s not going to sugarcoat it. He’s not one of those coaches that’s going to treat the best player, the highest-paid player, different than any other guys that may be on the practice squad. He’s going to coach everybody the same way. He’s going to demand the best out of every one of us every single day.
“No matter where he’s been, players he’s coached, you’re going to hear the same thing. He demands the best. And if you can’t meet that energy, you won’t play for him.”
The Cleveland Browns are still assembling their new-look offensive line and would welcome Joel Bitonio back if he decides to return for a 13th season in Cleveland. Browns Hall of Famer Joe Thomas said he plans to use Warhop as part of his pitch to convince Bitonio to stick around.