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.”
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.
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.”
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.”
The Detroit Lions are working toward a potential Super Bowl run in 2025. Detroit is riding high after a dominating win over the Washington Commanders in Week 10. However, they say that to be the man, you have to beat the man. In Week 11, the man comes around as the Lions take on the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football.
Star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson has never played in Philadelphia. He has faced the Eagles once in his career. As a matter of fact, that game was his NFL debut, a loss at home to Philadelphia. Hitting the road for this matchup, Detroit’s defensive star cannot wait to experience the atmosphere in the City of Brotherly Love.
“You get in those college football-esque games that really bring that love of the game back. Not that it’s ever gone. But like, you’re out there, you’re 18 years old, you’re in college. Fans are screaming, people care about the tradition. That, to me, it really invigorates my soul,” Hutchinson said, via Lions beat reporter Eric Woodyard.
The Lions have had some stumbles this year, especially on offense. However, they hope those offensive woes are now behind them. Head coach Dan Campbell took over playcalling last week against Washington. And the Lions proceeded to score 44 points, their most since Week 2 against the Chicago Bears.
Meanwhile, the defending champion Eagles are also experiencing some issues offensively of their own. Jalen Hurts and company have won each of their last three games. However, they have the 10th fewest yards per game on offense this year. They managed just 10 points in an ugly 10-7 win over the Green Bay Packers on Monday.
Despite any struggles, this is still a matchup of potential Super Bowl contenders. There’s a non-zero chance this could be a preview of the NFC Championship Game. Hutchinson certainly is not the only one looking forward to Sunday night’s contest.