General Manager Andrew Berry, during the NFL Combine last week in Indianapolis, said he would use the Chicago Bears as a blueprint to improve the Browns’ offensive line. He wasn’t kidding around. The Browns on March 2 agreed to trade a 2026 fifth-round pick to the Houston Texans for 29-year-old starting right tackle Tytus Howard, a league source confirmed. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network was first to report the news. Howard played in 93 games with the Texans, all starts, since 2019. He made 16 starts in 2024 and in 2025. The trade won’t be official until the 2026 league year begins on March 11. The pick the Browns are sending to the Texans, pick 139 overall, was acquired from the Raiders last summer for quarterback Kenny Pickett. Related Articles Browns rank 30th in NFL players union 2025 survey; league objects to process NFL salary cap hits new milestone at $301.2 million as part of 40% increase over 5 years All eyes focused on Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza as QBs take center stage at NFL scouting combine Browns could have eye on Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson in 2026 draft NFL QB market, impacted by a thin draft class, features Cousins and maybe Tagovailoa and Murray, too A year ago, the Bears targeted their offensive line as the area that needed the most improvement after Caleb Williams was sacked 68 times in 2024. They acquired guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson in separate trades, signed center Drew Dalman in free agency and drafted left tackle Ozzy Trapilo in the second round. Right tackle Darnell Wright was the only 2025 starter to carry over from 2024. The Browns have a double dilemma. Left tackle Cam Robinson, left guard Joel Bitonio, center Ethan Pocic, right guard Wyatt Teller and right tackle Jack Conklin are all free agents. On top of that, the Browns gave up 53 sacks a year ago, and they produced only 10 rushing touchdowns. They averaged 3.9 yards a carry — tied with the Texans for 29th in the league. Bitonio is still pondering whether to retire or return for 2026. The 2014 second-round pick has played his entire career with the Browns. He is expected to make his decision by March 10 to help the Browns know how to approach free agency when the league year begins a day later. “He came up to the office a few weeks ago, and we tried to talk him into (re-signing) right then,” Browns coach Todd Monken told reporters at the Combine. “He was not in that position yet to say he wanted to come back. I’m for really good football players. And I’m for really good football players that are wired like Joel.” Howard, 6-foot-5, 322 pounds, was entering the final year of his current contract. The Browns will sign him to a three-year, $63 million contract extension when the trade becomes official. “I wasn’t surprised,” Howard told Houston television station KPRC. “They (the Texans) are trying to get younger and pay some guys. I ain’t mad. I kind of knew it was going to happen. “I just appreciate the support over the last seven years. 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.” Howard was selected by the Texans with the 23rd pick in the first round of the 2019 draft. He played college football at Alabama State. The Browns have nine draft picks after trading for Howard: Picks 6, 24, 39, 70, 107, 145, 148, 245 and 248. ...read more read less