Newly acquired offensive lineman Tytus Howard is already making a strong impression in his new locker room with the Cleveland Browns.
After joining the team in a trade from the Houston Texans, Howard has wasted little time praising one of the quarterbacks he may soon be protecting-Shedeur Sanders.
During a conversation shared by Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot on March 16, Howard spoke enthusiastically about Sanders after recently meeting the young quarterback. The veteran offensive lineman said he has been following Sanders‘ career for years and is excited about the opportunity to work with him.
“He’s a great kid, and he has a lot of confidence,” Howard said. “I like that. I like that quarterback. He definitely has a pedigree. He has all the talent in the world. I’m a big fan.”
Howard added that his familiarity with Sanders dates back to the quarterback’s college days.
Sanders previously played for Jackson State Tigers football, which competed in the same division as Alabama State Hornets football during that time. That connection allowed Howard to keep tabs on Sanders long before the two became NFL teammates.
“He has all the tools to be a really good quarterback in this league,” Howard continued. “And he’s shown that he can be a great leader also. So I’m excited to work with him. I’m excited to get to know him more. I’m looking forward to blocking for him.”
Howard is expected to play an important role along Cleveland‘s offensive line during the 2026 season, giving whichever quarterback wins the job more time to operate.
Browns quarterback battle still wide open
Although Sanders finished the 2025 season as Cleveland‘s starting quarterback, the job is far from guaranteed heading into the upcoming season.
The Browns are entering a new phase with a revamped coaching staff, meaning the competition for the starting role will likely be open throughout the offseason.
Sanders showed flashes of potential during his rookie campaign. In limited action, he threw for 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns and ten interceptions while completing 56.6 percent of his passes.
While the numbers were modest, they provided glimpses of his ability to manage an offense and handle the pressure of NFL competition.
However, the biggest competition may come from veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson. Watson has not played in nearly two years after suffering an Achilles injury, but the organization has not ruled out his return.
Browns general manager Andrew Berry addressed Watson‘s status earlier this year and indicated the team still expects him to remain part of the roster.
“Look, I can never predict the future, but right now we do anticipate him being on the 2026 team,” Berry said in January. “But we have a long way to go before we get to that point with any player.”
That statement reinforced the idea that the starting quarterback role remains undecided.
Another young quarterback, Dillon Gabriel, was also selected in the same draft class as Sanders.
However, Gabriel‘s performance last season didn’t inspire confidence that he could emerge as a long-term answer for the team, leaving the competition largely centered on Sanders and Watson.
If Sanders can take the next step in his development while benefiting from improved protection up front, he may have a strong chance of securing the starting job and leading the Browns into their next chapter.
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