It's no secret the Cleveland Browns were one of the worst teams in the NFL last season when it came to protecting the quarterback.
The team surrendered the seventh-most sacks in the league (51), and Cleveland allowed 248 pressures, 167 hurries, and 50 QB hits, according to Pro Football Focus, which ranked the Browns offensive line as the second-worst unit in the NFL in 2025, ahead of only the Las Vegas Raiders.
So when an opportunity presented itself to add a former first-round pick to help solidify the O-line, the team took it. Cleveland sent a fifth-round pick to the Houston Texans in exchange for offensive tackle Tytus Howard and promptly signed him to a three-year, $63 million extension.
The 29-year-old Howard will go from protecting C.J. Stroud to either Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson. Most believe Sanders will win the starting job heading into Week 1, and if that's the case, then Howard is more than excited to be tasked with keeping his new teammate upright.
"I met Shedeur when I came in last week," Howard told reporters on Monday. "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."
Sanders impressed in his limited action last season.
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The Colorado alum threw for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions while leading the Browns to a 3-4 record as the starter.
Conversely, Howard didn't surrender a sack last season, and he allowed just 6 pressures, 25 hurries, and one QB hits while playing 628 snaps as Houston's right tackle.
Howard has allowed two or fewer sacks in five of his seven NFL seasons, and he is considered a major upgrade over both of Cleveland's tackles last season - Cam Robinson and KT Leveston.
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