The Houston Texans’ new regime of head coach DeMeco Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio are on the same page about how a competitive roster needs to be built. For a team to have success, they need to win in the trenches, which has been the focus of the franchise this offseason.

Knowing they would likely have a new quarterback under center, the team went to great lengths to ensure that the blocking ahead of them would be up to par. Shaq Mason was acquired from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier this offseason to shore up the interior of their offensive line; on Wednesday, the team ensured that things would be in good shape on the perimeter long-term as well.

Houston announced that they agreed to an extension with right tackle Tytus Howard. It is a three-year deal worth $56 million that includes $36.5 million guaranteed. Following the 2022 season, Howard expressed interest in working out an extension with the Texans, saying he wanted to play his whole career there.

The 2019 first-round pick out of Alabama State has received his wish, as he will be remaining with the franchise for the foreseeable future. It is a deal that Caserio believes Howard has earned with his performance on the field.

“Tytus has been a good player for the last number of years,” Caserio said. “… It was good working with his team and his representation.”

Howard has appeared in and started 54 games during the last four seasons for the Texans. 2022 was the first time that he played in every game of the season and he has turned into quite the player at right tackle.

Last season he recorded a pass block win rate of 93.1 percent, which was seventh among offensive tackles. Combined with left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who signed a three-year deal of his own in March, the Texans have one of the best tackle tandems in the NFL to anchor the offensive line ahead of No. 2 overall pick, C.J. Stroud.