HOUSTON – The Texans traded a cornerstone of their offensive line for the second year in a row.
One year after trading five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders, the Texans have agreed to trade versatile starting offensive lineman Tytus Howard to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick, per league sources.
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He is signing a three-year, $63 million extension with $45 million in new money and an average per year of $21 million in new money with $43 million guaranteed, per league sources. Howard is coming off a strong season. He allowed a 4.8 percent pressure rate, according to Next Gen Stats.
“I wasn’t surprised,” Howard told KPRC 2 in a telephone interview following the trade after the NFL scouting combine. “They’re trying to get younger and pay some guys. I ain’t mad. I kind of knew it was going to happen.”
The Texans are expected to use a combination of free agency and the NFL draft to overhaul their offensive line. The expectation is they will prioritize the offensive line and attempt to upgrade it through several methods. Without Howard, they’ve let go of a valuable blocker, though.
It won’t be an inexpensive undertaking to replace Howard. Plus, the Texans would ideally keep free agent guard Ed Ingram after his best season. Texans general manager Nick Caserio praised Ingram, who thrived after being acquired in a trade from the Minnesota Vikings.
It’s highly questionable whether the Texans will be able to afford Ingram as he’s expected to be one of the highest sought after free agents in the high-end guard market, per league sources.
Ingram had a resurgent year for the Texans.
“Ed had a great year,” Texans general manager Nick Caserio said during the NFL scouting combine. “Honestly, he probably had the best year of his career. He’s strong. He’s physical. He plays violent in the running game. You saw that on tape quite a bit. Pretty good in pass protection. We’re working through that process right now.
“We’ll have discussion with him and his representatives. We’ll see how far he goes. But I’m glad he was here. He’s a player that we feel benefited from our program. Honestly, sometimes a change in scenery is good. It probably worked out for him and worked out for us as well. I’m glad Ed was on the team here this year.”
The trade sheds Howard’s salary from his three-year, $56 million deal that was restructured last year, but creates $23.6 million in dead money for a net cap savings of $4.2 million.
The Texans have a lot of big contracts to address this offseason, including All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr. Anderson could become the highest paid defensive player in the game potentially, if not one of the highest in average compensation.
Howard can play right tackle or left tackle and is a former first-round draft pick from Alabama State.
Howard has started 93 career games. He’ll celebrate his 30th birthday in May.
He started at right tackle, right guard and left guard last season. The Texans’ pass protection improved markedly last season as quarterback C.J. Stroud was sacked a career-low 23 times.
A year ago, the Texans traded offensive tackle Cam Robinson to the Browns. So, now, Texans general manager Nick Caserio and Browns general manager Andrew Berry have conducted some more offensive line business.
Howard leaves Houston with a legacy for versatility and willingness to play any position and community involvement.
“I just appreciate the support over the last seven years,” Howard said to KPRC 2. “I’ll always be a Texan forever. I’m excited to go to Cleveland and turn the city up and help change the program and win some games.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com