(Photo credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images)

Houston Texans offensive lineman Tytus Howard is set to be traded to the Cleveland Browns in a deal that cannot be executed officially until the start of the new NFL league year on March 11.

Howard, 29, started games at three positions for Houston last season. He made 93 career starts in seven seasons with the Texans with time at left guard, right guard and right tackle.

'I wasn't surprised,' Howard told KPRC2 of the trade. 'They're trying to get younger and pay some guys. I ain't mad. I kind of knew it was going to happen.'

Howard is good friends with former Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, one of a handful of players involved in trades between these franchises in recent seasons. Howard was drafted 23rd overall in 2019 out of Alabama State. Watson was traded to the Browns in 2020.

ESPN reported the Howard trade would involve the Browns parting with a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He's expect to sign a three-year extension. Multiple reports put the value of the new deal with Howard at a max value of $63 million in Cleveland.

The Browns have only one starter on the offensive line under contract for 2026 and that's tackle Dawand Jones, who is recovering from a Week 3 season-ending knee injury. Jones, 25, has not yet finished an entire season. He had season-ending knee and ankle injuries his first season. In 2025, he was placed on IR with a lateral collateral ligament injury. His hamstring was torn from the bone. But general manager Andrew Berry said last week at the NFL Scouting Combine that Jones was on schedule to be ready for training camp.

Last spring, the Texans traded starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders to begin the league year. They also completed a trade with the Browns involving offensive tackle Cam Robinson, who was acquired by Cleveland because of significant injury issues on an aging offensive line last season. Robinson is a free agent.

--Field Level Media