Alex Wright's Extension Secures Future for the Cleveland Browns Edge

In a move that signals long-term planning and defensive stability, the Cleveland Browns have finalized a contract extension with edge rusher Alex Wright—a young standout who has quickly emerged as a key piece of the team’s pass-rushing unit. The extension, reported to be a four-year deal worth approximately \(52 million (with \)30 million guaranteed), locks up Wright through the 2028 season, ensuring the Browns retain a rising talent at a position critical to their defensive success. For a team that has prioritized building around core defensive players like Myles Garrett, Wright’s extension is more than just a roster move—it’s a commitment to sustaining a fearsome edge-rushing presence for years to come. Alex Wright's Extension Secures Future for the Cleveland Browns Edge breaks down the impact of this deal, Wright’s growth as a player, and why it matters for the Browns’ future.

Wright’s journey to this extension has been marked by steady improvement since the Browns selected him in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of UAB. In his rookie season, he served as a rotational edge rusher, recording 2 sacks and 15 quarterback pressures while learning from Garrett—experience that laid the groundwork for his breakout 2023 campaign. Last year, Wright stepped into a larger role, starting 11 games and tallying 6.5 sacks, 23 pressures, and 3 forced fumbles, including a critical sack in the Browns’ Week 14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars that sealed a playoff berth. This season, he’s built on that momentum, notching 5 sacks and 18 pressures through 16 games, while also showing growth as a run defender—an area where he struggled early in his career. “Alex has worked his tail off to become a complete edge rusher,” Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said. “He’s not just a pass-rush specialist anymore—he can set the edge against the run and disrupt offenses in multiple ways. That’s the kind of player you want to build around.” Alex Wright's Extension Secures Future for the Cleveland Browns Edge emphasizes that Wright’s extension rewards not just his current production, but his potential to become a long-term complement to Garrett.

A key reason the Browns prioritized extending Wright is his ability to ease the pressure on Myles Garrett, the team’s franchise pass rusher. For years, opposing offenses have been able to focus their blocking schemes on Garrett, doubling or even tripling him to neutralize his impact. With Wright emerging as a consistent threat on the other edge, defenses can no longer afford to overload Garrett—forcing them to spread their resources thin, which creates more one-on-one opportunities for both players. This dynamic was on full display in the Browns’ Week 10 win over the Baltimore Ravens this season: Wright recorded 2 sacks and 4 pressures, forcing the Ravens to assign a tackle to him, which left Garrett in one-on-one matchups that he exploited for 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. “Having Alex on the other edge changes everything,” Garrett said in a recent interview. “Defenses can’t stack the box or double me as much anymore, and that makes our entire defense better. He’s a guy I want to play with for a long time.” Alex Wright's Extension Secures Future for the Cleveland Browns Edge highlights that this partnership is the foundation of the Browns’ defensive identity—and locking up Wright ensures that identity will remain intact for years.

For the Cleveland Browns, Wright’s extension also makes strategic sense from a salary-cap perspective, allowing the team to avoid a costly free-agent market for edge rushers in the coming years. The 2025 NFL free-agent class is expected to be thin at edge rusher, with only a handful of proven starters available—meaning the Browns would have likely faced steep competition and inflated prices if they’d let Wright hit the open market. By extending him now, the Browns locked in Wright at a reasonable average annual value (AAV) of \(13 million, which is well below the \)20+ million AAV that top-tier edge rushers like Micah Parsons and Nick Bosa command. This flexibility will allow the Browns to allocate cap space to other positions of need, such as offensive line and secondary, while still keeping their core defensive unit intact. “Extending Alex now was a smart move for our cap health,” Browns general manager Andrew Berry said. “It lets us plan ahead, keep our best young players, and build a sustainable winner without breaking the bank.” For the Cleveland Browns, this extension is a textbook example of proactive roster management—prioritizing long-term stability over short-term cost savings.

The extension also sends a clear message to the Cleveland Browns’ locker room and fan base: the team is committed to winning with young, homegrown talent. Wright is part of a core group of players drafted by the Browns since 2020 (including quarterback Deshaun Watson, though he was acquired via trade) who have become foundational pieces. By extending Wright, the Browns are rewarding a player who has bought into the team’s culture, worked to improve, and embraced his role—something that resonates with teammates and fans alike. For young players on the roster, Wright’s extension is a sign that hard work and dedication will be rewarded, which can boost morale and drive performance. For fans, it’s a reason to be optimistic about the future—knowing that the team is investing in players who have grown with the franchise and understand what it means to represent Cleveland. “Seeing Alex get extended makes me proud to be a Browns fan,” said long-time supporter Mike Torres. “He’s a guy who came in, worked hard, and became a key player—this is exactly the kind of player we should be keeping.” Alex Wright's Extension Secures Future for the Cleveland Browns Edge underscores that the Cleveland Browns’ commitment to Wright is about more than football—it’s about building a culture of success that keeps players and fans invested.

Looking ahead, Wright’s extension positions the Cleveland Browns to remain a defensive powerhouse in the AFC for years to come. With Wright and Garrett leading the edge-rushing unit, and young talent like defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah rounding out the defense, the Browns have the pieces to compete with the league’s top offenses—including the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens. Wright’s continued growth will be key: if he can reach double-digit sacks in future seasons and become a consistent Pro Bowl candidate, the Browns’ defense could rank among the league’s elite. For Wright himself, the extension is a chance to solidify his legacy in Cleveland—a city that values hard work and resilience as much as he does. “I’m grateful for this opportunity to stay with the Browns,” Wright said after the extension was announced. “This city has embraced me, and I want to repay that by helping this team win championships. That’s the goal every year.” Alex Wright's Extension Secures Future for the Cleveland Browns Edge concludes that while championships aren’t guaranteed, the Browns’ extension of Alex Wright has secured a critical piece of their future—one that will help them compete at the highest level for years to come. In a league where stability is rare, the Browns have taken a big step toward building something lasting.