The Cleveland Browns have terminated the contract of tight end Dae’Quan Wright, waiving the undrafted free agent and clearing a path for one of the more unusual roster moves in recent NFL history.
The 6-foot-4 Wright, who spent a brief stretch with the team after being claimed off waivers earlier this month, is now expected to return to college football and join LSU if he clears NFL waivers.
Wright originally signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent following the 2026 NFL Draft. The Eagles released him on August 10, and the Browns claimed him the next day.
He did not appear in either of Cleveland’s first two preseason games and had been sidelined with an injury for more than a week, though he dressed for the team’s preseason contest against the Buffalo Bills.
The timing of the release aligns with Wright’s decision to pursue another year of college eligibility. He entered the transfer portal after a temporary restraining order granted him and other athletes the chance to return for a fifth season under the NCAA’s evolving eligibility rules.
His agents, Drew Rosenhaus and Kyle Lincoln, confirmed an agreement is in place for Wright to play at LSU in 2026, provided no other NFL team claims him.
Wright, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs around 246 pounds, played the previous two seasons under Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss. In 2025 he recorded 39 receptions for 635 yards and five touchdowns.
Across four college seasons—two at Virginia Tech and two with the Rebels—he totaled 113 catches, 1,603 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns. He earned second-team All-SEC recognition in his final year at Ole Miss.
Browns head coach Todd Monken reacted to the unusual situation with characteristic candor after the preseason game, noting Kiffin had reached out earlier and joking about the absurdity of the circumstances.
If Wright clears waivers, he is expected to reunite with Kiffin in Baton Rouge, becoming the first player known to have signed an NFL contract as an undrafted free agent and then returned to the college ranks.
The move underscores the fluid landscape of modern player eligibility and roster management. For the Browns, it simply removes a depth tight end who was unlikely to make the final roster.
For Wright, it offers a rare second chance to develop further under a familiar coach before potentially re-entering the professional ranks later.
LSU’s season opens September 5 against Clemson, giving the Tigers a chance to quickly integrate the athletic 6-foot-4 tight end into their offense.
