Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio has a bevy of decisions that need to be made in the 2022 offseason if the club is to return to playing at a competitively level.
Tytus Howard, who proved his worth as a versatile lineman in 2021 going from guard to tackle, has completed the third year of his rookie contract. The Texans will need to make a decision in May as to whether or not they pick up his fifth year option.
Center Justin Britt said that Howard dealt with a learning curve going from right tackle to left guard in training camp. Then, in the season, he had to move to left tackle as injuries to Laremy Tunsil compromised Houston’s availability at tackle.
“He gets asked to move to left guard and that was not that much of a learning curve for him because he’s played left tackle before,” said Britt. “He just had to find his rhythm there. He finds his rhythm. He’s playing pretty good ball and then they ask him to move to left tackle, which I thought he did exceptional.”
Howard played 15 games for the Texans, starting in all of them. The 15 games were the most he had started in a single season after starting in eight his rookie year and 14 in 2020.
“He’s a hard worker,” Britt said. “He’s still young. He’s got a lot of football left in him. I don’t see why he couldn’t be the best.”
The Texans’ offensive staff is undergoing a shakeup, and the organization is looking for their fifth full-time coach in club history. James Campen is expected to continue as the offensive line coach for a second season, providing some semblance of stability for the former 2019 first-round pick from Alabama State.
Howard is set to cost the Texans $3,889,948 against the salary cap in 2022.
