The Cleveland Browns, in the midst of a long-term rebuild, took a significant step toward solidifying their defensive future on Thursday by agreeing to terms with breakout defensive end Alex Wright on a three-year, $33 million contract extension, according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.
The 25-year-old edge rusher, originally selected by general manager Andrew Berry in the third round of the 2022 draft out of UAB, has finally begun to deliver on the elite athletic traits that made him a combine darling three years ago.
Despite modest college production (90 total tackles and 11.5 sacks across three seasons), Wright’s rare combination of size (6-foot-5, 271 pounds) and explosion sent his draft stock soaring.
His first two NFL seasons offered only glimpses of that potential. As a rookie in 2022, he appeared in all 17 games but managed just 28 tackles and one fumble recovery.
The arrival of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz in 2023 unlocked something in the young defender: Wright posted five sacks and two forced fumbles across 16 contests, emerging as a legitimate rotational threat.
A torn triceps suffered early in the 2024 campaign limited him to only four games and raised questions about his durability heading into a contract year. Wright has answered those doubts emphatically in 2025.
Through the first nine games of the current season, the fourth-year pro has recorded 24 tackles and three sacks while serving as the ideal running mate for perennial All-Pro Myles Garrett. Garrett, who currently paces the NFL with 15 sacks, has benefited greatly from the added attention Wright commands on the opposite edge.
Since Schwartz implemented his wide-nine scheme in 2023, Cleveland’s front office has prioritized finding a credible second edge threat to pair with Garrett.
Wright’s rapid development has turned that long-term wish list item into reality, making the decision to extend him before he hit unrestricted free agency a relatively straightforward one for Berry and the Browns’ analytics-driven front office.
The move also signals confidence in a defensive line that suddenly looks poised to dominate for the foreseeable future. Alongside Wright and Garrett, first-round rookie defensive tackle Mason Graham and fellow rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger have both flashed elite potential in their debut seasons, giving Cleveland one of the youngest and most talented front sevens in football.
For a franchise that has endured years of instability, securing a homegrown pass rusher on the rise represents more than just sound salary-cap management; it’s a clear declaration that the Browns believe their defensive foundation is finally set for sustained excellence.
