Ideally, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski would have answered the question with a firm, “No,” leaving no doubt about the near-term future of one of the team’s breakout players. That would be fourth-year pass-rusher Alex Wright, who has 3.0 sacks on the season, behind Myles Garrett and Maliek Collins.
Wright has nine tackles for a loss this season, which is as many as he had in total in his NFL career entering the year. He has a PFF grade of 88.7, which ranks No. 8 among pass-rushers in the NFL this year. But he left Sunday’s loss to the Jets with a quad injury and is on the team’s injury report heading into the Week 11 game against Baltimore.
The severity of Wright’s injury has not been much of a topic in Cleveland, until Wednesday, when Stefanski was asked about Wright possibly hitting the injured reserve–which would force him out for four games.
Said Stefanski: “We’ll see.”
Browns’ Alex Wright Heading to Free Agency
While the Browns are just 2-7 and not much of a threat to make a run in the AFC this year, Wright certainly has much at stake this season. He will be a free agent next spring, and at 25 years old, could be in position for a nice payday.
At Spotrac his market value is listed at $14.8 million per year, and he is slated for a four-year, $59.3 million contract. That could even be undervalued, considering how Wright has played and the way the league’s salary cap is slated to rise.
Wright played just four games in 2024, as a torn triceps injury ended his season in October.
Alex Wright Extension a Possibility?
Wright has worked well in tandem with Garrett, and he has shown himself to be a piece to build around.
At The Athletic last month before the trade deadline, it was noted that Wright’s future might be tied to that of Isaiah McGuire: “The Browns might want to keep and eventually extend Wright. … But defensive end Isaiah McGuire is still under contract through 2026, and assuming Myles Garrett remains in the long-term plans, the team probably has to choose between Wright and McGuire at some point fairly soon.
“If a market for pass-rush help develops over the next week, the Browns can try to get something semi-significant for Wright. If they don’t trade Wright, they can eventually sign him to an extension.”
Browns Need All the Defensive Help They Can Get
Wright will, no doubt, be missed in Week 11 if he can’t go. The Ravens have won three straight games and have Lamar Jackson back at quarterback, which is trouble for the Browns. Jackson threw for four touchdowns in the first meeting of the teams, a 41-17 win, but missed three games with injuries in October.
In general, the Ravens are getting healthier.
“I’d say, some new faces in there,” Stefanski said. “Some guys that were injured, didn’t play in our first game, and now are back. Had the trade there, a couple trades there on defense, so moving some pieces around to different spots. So, just evolving I would say.”
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