The Cleveland Browns and defensive end Alex Wright have come to terms on a new 3 year extension which will pay him $33M and feature $21M in guaranteed money.
Wright is enjoying a breakout season in which he’s already recorded career highs in tackles for loss (9), and solo tackles (16), and is on pace to set new personal bests in sacks, total tackles, QB hits, and starts. The 25 year old currently sits third on the team in sacks on the season, and has provided consistent pressure opposite perennial All-Pro Myles Garrett.
The former 3rd round pick out of UAB was set to become a free agent at season’s end, but will now be tied to the club through the end of the 2028 NFL campaign.
Wright’s production has been a rare bright spot in an otherwise dismal season in Cleveland for the AFC North team. The Browns are currently 2-8 on the year, and will be attempting to inject some juice into their anemic offence by starting Shedeur Sanders this coming weekend.
Cleveland has scored the 4th fewest touchdowns across the league in 2025 with 17 on the year (only the Raiders, Saints, and Titans have scored fewer), however their defence has once again kept them in contests throughout the season.
The Browns rank 2nd in the league in passing yards allowed per game (only Buffalo is better in that regard), 7th in forced fumbles, 8th in interceptions, and 3rd in rushing TDs allowed to opponents. All of this despite regularly losing the starting field position battle due to their struggles on the other side of the football.
If Cleveland plans to turn things around for 2026, they appear to be aiming to do so by reinforcing their offensive and defensive lines. Nevertheless, the team will likely still need to weather another year of financial constraints due to the failed Deshaun Watson experiment, before getting into some voidable years.
The former Texans QB has one more year of no trade protection, before the team can realistically look at cutting, waiving, or trading the embattled signal caller, potentially ridding themselves of the deal for the start of the 2027 season.
Until then, the team will likely continue to improve their offensive and defensive lines, and hope that a strong run game with rookies Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson can kickstart the seemingly never ending rebuild. If Sanders or Dillon Gabriel can take a step forward in year 2, then there may be some light at the end of the tunnel coming for Browns fans.
Photo: Erik Drost. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.