The Cleveland Browns are going through the very difficult process of rebuilding their offensive line from scratch, and some of the growing pains have become evident in training camp. Fortunately, the Browns are able to rely on at least one preexisting relationship between player and assistant coach to help smooth things over.
After head coach Todd Monken brought assistant offensive line coach George Warhop with him from the Baltimore Ravens, the Browns traded for Houston Texans tackle Tytus Howard. Cleveland then gave the 30-year-old a three-year contract extension worth $63 million.
Speaking at training camp, Howard named Warhop as the main reason he wanted to join the Browns, citing the success they were able to have together with Houston and the effect the coach can have on rookies Spencer Fano, Austin Barber and Parker Brailsford.
“That was one of the main reasons I wanted to come here, because of Coach Warhop. He and I have a great relationship, going back to when I was coming out of the draft in 2019 with Jacksonville. I got a chance to work with him in Houston. His mentality is the same every day. Every team he’s been on, he made the offensive line better, especially young guys. I had him my third year, I ended up having one of the best years of my career after that. For the guys who came in, Spencer, Austin, Parker, all those guys, to have an O-line coach who’s very detail-oriented, he’s gonna bring the best out of all of them,” Howard said.
Browns RT Tytus Howard said OL coach George Warhop was a main reason he wanted to come here. pic.twitter.com/kSgKbwdes5
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) August 7, 2026
Howard was a first-round pick by the Texans in the 2019 NFL Draft. Warhop spent the 2022 season with Houston and then took a year off before joining the Ravens in 2024.
With Monken as the Ravens’ offensive coordinator the past three seasons, he, Warhop and new Browns coordinator Travis Switzer helped Baltimore lead the NFL in rushing yards over their three seasons together. With Cleveland, they plan to use the best five offensive linemen they have available, regardless of position.
Howard seems to have secured his spot as the starting right tackle, with first-round pick Fano competing for the job at left tackle. The interior of the line remains unsettled, with potential centers Elgton Jenkins and Brailsford, and guard Teven Jenkins, sitting out recent practices with injuries. Free agent signee Zion Johnson is expected to be the starting left guard.
Warhop was also the Browns’ offensive line coach from 2009 through 2013. He served under three different head coaches: Eric Mangini, Pat Shurmur and Rob Chudzinski.
Cleveland is hopeful that Warhop’s return turns out to be more successful than his previous stint, and with Howard on board, it has a good chance of working out.
NEXT: Insider Raises Big Concern About Shedeur Sanders
