New Cleveland Browns lineman Tytus Howard
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New Cleveland Browns lineman Tytus Howard
The Cleveland Browns began the rebuilding of the team’s offensive line with a trade that came in well ahead of the start of free agency, bringing in Texans tackle Tytus Howard, then re-signing him to a new contract to keep him around. It was not the splashiest of moves, but it gave the Browns a reliable veteran who has been a starter in all 93 games in which he has appeared in the NFL.
When he was acquired, there was some question about where, exactly, Howard would play on the Browns line. Howard finished 2025 with a grade of 62.8 from Pro Football Focus which was 56th out of 84 tackles in the NFL. Positionally, he actually played two games at right guard and six games at left guard last season. He played eight games at right tackle and in the playoffs, he played at left guard in the wild-card round and right tackle in the divisional round.
According to Howard, the decision has already been made in Cleveland: He will be playing right tackle for the Browns next season.
Tytus Howard: ‘I’m Looking to Play Right Tackle’
Howard met with Browns reporters on Monday and made clear he is a tackle by nature, but he will be able to help out the other players along the offensive line at all positions.
Said Howard: “I was drafted at Houston as a left tackle, but they traded for Laremy Tunsil my rookie year, so I end up moving to right tackle,” he said. “I feel like when I’m at right tackle, I play my best. My job and the reason Cleveland brought me here is to be my best. So if they want my best, and which they’ve already explained to me, I’ll be playing tackle so I can do whatever I got to do to help the team win games.
“I could be a mentor to all the younger guys with all the knowledge I’ve had over the years of playing left tackle, left guard, right guard. But for Cleveland, I’m looking to play right tackle.”
Browns Offensive Line Rebuild Nearly Complete
The Browns added three offensive linemen this month, starting with Howard. They also brought in veteran Elgton Jenkins, who has played center recently but was a guard for most of his career. Zion Johnson was the Browns’ other big addition on the line, signing on from the Chargers.
Most likely, Jenkins will play center and his younger brother, Browns guard Teven Jenkins, will play guard. It’s possible, though, that Elgton Jenkins could move to guard if Luke Wypler wins the center job.
Either way, the Browns have a massive hole at left tackle, where Dawand Jones might be given a chance to win the role if he can stay healthy. But the Browns are expected to use a first-round pick on a left tackle, and whomever that is probably will get the job.
Tytus Howard Surprised Browns Were Interested
Howard said he was surprised at first that the Browns, who dealt a fifth-round pick, were trading for him, but that it made more sense as he got to know the staff. He is especially pleased to see offensive line coach George Warhop, who was his line coach in Houston in 2022.
Said Howard: “When I first found out they were interested, I was surprised but after being in this building and meeting the coaches and meeting Andrew (Berry) and seeing what type of people they were and the vision that they had. I wasn’t surprised that they would come after me. What they’re trying to do is what I am all about.
“Also, coach Warhop, me and him have a great relationship—he coached me in 2022 and being able to play with him, I know what I’m gonna get every day. I know that he is gonna bring the best out of me and require the best out of me. So, you know, being able to come here with a coach like that, and I still want to be better every day, I still want to be the best player I can be and I know that for me, with him as my coach, I knew that if I come into Cleveland, I am going to get that every day. I know I am gonna get better.”