Heading into the 2023 NFL season, the Houston Texans are an improved football team. 

Although, it would be hard to not be improved after winning just seven games in two years after all. There is an energy around the team and first-year coach DeMeco Ryans that just feels different, though. 

The team continued the trend of signing quality veterans to low-cost deals, and upgraded several positions in the draft as well. One national writer recently detailed the final big move the team needs to make before the 2023 season begins.

Field Yates of ESPN recently outlined one move each team should make before the season begins. Sorry, Houston fans, but no, signing DeAndre Hopkins is not the move Yates suggested for the Texans.

Yates instead went a more practical route by suggesting extending right tackle Tytus Howard. 

Howard will play out the final year of his rookie contract in 2023 and make just over $13M after having his fifth-year option picked up. The Alabama State product had his best season as a pro in 2022, ending with a 67.9 PFF grade. With Laremy Tunsil being one of the best left tackles in the league, the Texans boast an enviable pair of tackles. 

Regarding a potential Howard extension, Yates said the following: Howard is the team's most deserving extension candidate as he enters the final year of his rookie deal and has helped to form the strength of the roster in recent seasons: the tackle duo. There are many factors that contribute to success for young quarterbacks, but having a stable offensive line is among the most critical.

 Howard is the team's most deserving extension candidate as he enters the final year of his rookie deal and has helped to form the strength of the roster in recent seasons: the tackle duo. There are many factors that contribute to success for young quarterbacks, but having a stable offensive line is among the most critical.

Yates is exactly right- the Texans must prioritize having a strong offensive line for rookie QB CJ Stroud. Extending Howard before the season would be ideal, as Howard would likely command a massive payday if he reaches free agency. 

While seen as a reach after being selected in the first round of the 2019 draft, Howard has slowly blossomed into an above-average NFL tackle. It will be interesting to see if Nick Caserio can hammer out an extension with the tackle this summer.

Featured image via © Thomas Shea | 2023 Jun 14