The Cleveland Browns were already in the market for another defensive end before Alex Wright went down with an injury, and with the news that he is out for the season, the team acted quickly over the weekend to replace him.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported the news on Wright via X on Sunday, August 23.
“ESPN sources: The Browns are placing starting DE Alex Wright on season-ending injured reserve with a ruptured Achilles, and they now will sign former first-round pick DE Derek Barnett,” Schefter wrote. “Wright was carted off the practice field Thursday after getting hurt during a one-on-one drill with Bills OT Spencer Brown. Tests later revealed a season-ending ruptured Achilles.”
Wright inked a three-year deal worth $33 million this offseason and the Browns planned to start him opposite Jared Verse, who they acquired via a trade with the Los Angeles Rams involving Myles Garrett earlier this offseason.
Barnett, most recently of the Houston Texans and also formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles, was Cleveland’s immediate response to Wright’s now lost season.
“Defensive end Derek Barnett is signing with the Cleveland Browns on a one-year deal [worth] up to $5.5M, per source,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on social media. “The former first-round pick is back for Year 10, spent previous three years in Houston.”
Barnett is a nine-year veteran of the NFL. He has recorded 216 tackles, including 57 tackles for loss, 104 quarterback hits, 34 sacks, five forced fumbles and three defensive touchdowns across 112 games played (50 starts) over the course of his career.
Browns May Still Add Another Pass-Rusher to Roster Before Regular Season Begins
GettyCleveland Browns defensive end Alex Wright was carted off the field during a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills.
Cleveland explored reunions with both Za’Darius Smith and Jadeveon Clowney before Wright suffered his injury, though they each landed elsewhere (Atlanta Falcons and Houston Texans, respectively).
That interest indicates that the Browns were looking for more pass-rush specific help when they believed that Verse and Wright were there two starters at defensive end.
Barnett has been a solid player and can certainly step into a prominent role off the edge in Cleveland. But it is fair to wonder if the team might not still pursue yet another addition to the position group in order to enhance its pass rush before the regular season begins next month.
Alex Wright Injury Leads Browns to Ink Ex-Texans Defensive End