He isn't exactly a household name yet. If you aren't a die-hard Cleveland Browns fan, or maybe a UAB alum who remembers those Saturday afternoons in Birmingham, you might not realize that Alex Wright has quietly become one of the more fascinating success stories in the NFL's trenches.
Most people look at the Browns' defensive line and they see one thing: Myles Garrett. It makes sense. Garrett is a human highlight reel who just set a new NFL record with 23.0 sacks in 2025. But while everyone was staring at the wrecking ball on the other side, something interesting happened. Alex Wright grew up.
In November 2025, the Browns did something that caught a few people off guard. They handed Wright a three-year extension worth $33 million, with $21 million of that guaranteed. For a guy who was technically a rotational player at the time, that is a massive chunk of change.
It wasn't a "thank you" for past production. It was a bet on the future.
✨ Don't miss: University of Oregon Players in the NFL: Why the Ducks Roster is Harder to Beat Than You Think
The Long Road from Elba to Cleveland
Alex Wright is basically a giant. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing in around 267 pounds, he looks exactly like what a defensive coordinator would build in a lab. He grew up in Elba, Alabama—the same neck of the woods that produced Hall of Famer DeMarcus Ware—and he spent his high school years playing wide receiver and clarinet in the band.
Think about that for a second. A 6-foot-5 kid hauling in passes and then playing the saxophone at halftime.
When he got to UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham), he was raw. Super raw. But the tools were there. He left college with 12.5 sacks and a reputation for being "unblockable" when his technique actually clicked. The Browns took him in the third round of the 2022 draft, knowing he wasn’t a finished product.
General Manager Andrew Berry and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz have a specific type. They like "waves" of pass rushers. They don't want just one star; they want four or five guys who can all rotate in and keep their legs fresh. Wright was the perfect candidate for that.
Breaking Down the 2024 Setback
Early in the 2024 season, it looked like Wright was finally taking that "Year 3 jump" everyone talks about. He even recorded a sack in the end zone against Jacksonville for a safety—the Browns' first safety in four years.
Then, disaster.
A torn triceps in Week 4 ended his season before it really started. For a young player trying to establish himself, that kind of injury is a nightmare. It steals the developmental reps you desperately need. Honestly, most players would have just faded into the background after that. Instead, Wright spent the 2025 offseason obsessed with hand placement and "position flex."
Why the $33 Million Extension Actually Makes Sense
You've gotta look at the numbers to understand why the Browns were so eager to lock him down through 2028. In 2025, Wright played 14 games and put up career highs across the board: 37 tackles and 5.5 sacks.
That might not sound like "All-Pro" territory, but you have to look at how he’s getting those numbers.
- The Garrett Effect: Because Myles Garrett is getting double-teamed (or triple-teamed) on almost every snap, the guy on the opposite side gets a lot of one-on-one looks.
- The Versatility: Jim Schwartz likes to "kick" Wright inside on third downs. Because of his length (34-inch arms), he can overwhelm smaller guards.
- Run Stuffing: Unlike a lot of "finesse" pass rushers, Wright actually likes hitting people. He’s physical. He sets the edge.
Basically, the Browns realized that if they let him hit free agency, some team with a massive cap space surplus would have paid him even more based on his physical profile alone. By signing him to an $11 million-a-year average, Cleveland got ahead of the market.
🔗 Read more: Brighton vs Manchester City: What Most People Get Wrong About the Recent Stalemate
What Most People Get Wrong About Wright
There’s this misconception that because he doesn't have double-digit sacks, he isn't "elite." That's sorta missing the point of the Browns' scheme. Schwartz’s defense is an engine, and Wright is the high-quality oil that keeps it from seizing up.
He’s the guy doing the "dirty work" like taking on pullers and knocking tight ends back three yards. That stuff doesn't show up on a fantasy football scoreboard, but it’s why the Browns defense stayed top-tier even when the offense was struggling with the Deshaun Watson contract drama and quarterback carousels.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Wright is only 25 years old. He’s entering what should be the prime of his career.
He still has some issues with pad level—sometimes he plays too tall and loses his leverage—but that is fixable. If he continues to develop his secondary pass-rush moves (what the coaches call "unplanned adjustments"), he could easily hit the 8-to-10 sack range in 2026.
He’s already idolized guys like DeMarcus Ware and Myles Garrett. Now, he’s actually getting the chance to be the "complementary piece" that turns a good pass rush into an historic one.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're watching the Browns this coming season, stop watching the ball for a few plays. Watch number 91.
- Watch the "Position Flex": See if he’s lining up outside the tackle or sliding inside over the guard. When he’s inside, he’s usually hunting for a quick sack on a long-developing play.
- Track the "Tackles for Loss": Wright is often better at stopping the run than he is at chasing the QB. If he’s living in the backfield during first and second downs, it’s going to be a long day for the opposing offensive coordinator.
- Monitor the Recovery: He dealt with a nagging quadriceps injury late in 2025. His ability to stay explosive off the snap depends entirely on those legs being 100%.
The Browns took a gamble on a kid from a small school in Alabama who played in the band. So far, that gamble is paying off in a big way. Alex Wright isn't just a backup anymore; he's a foundational part of one of the best defenses in football.