Alex Wright shares bold vow after Browns trade Myles Garrett to Rams

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry acquiring a 2027 first-round draft pick, a 2028 second-round selection, a 2029 third-round choice and pass-rusher Jared Verse from the Los Angeles Rams for Myles Garrett removed the NFL's best overall defensive player from the Cleveland roster. 

Defensive end Alex Wright has made it known he wants to fill the Browns' Garrett-sized hole later this year. 

Alex Wright taking "ownership" after Browns' trade of Myles Garrett

"I was shocked, just like anyone else," Wright recently said, per Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland/The Land on Demand. "Still trying to process it. I grew up with him and pretty much used him as a sponge. Realizing he’s not going to be here, somebody has to take charge. Me, I’m taking on that ownership." 

Credit Wright for offering such bold comments, but history suggests somebody else will have to take the ownership he referenced. A 2022 third-round draft pick, Wright has thus far tallied 11.5 career regular-season sacks. Meanwhile, Garrett is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year Award winner who may retire as the NFL's all-time leader in career sacks. 

Carson Schwesinger welcoming new teammate with open arms

Cleveland linebacker Carson Schwesinger has something in common with the previously mentioned Verse. Verse earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award honors for the 2024 campaign, while Schwesinger won that award for last season. 

Schwesinger seems excited about what Verse will offer the Cleveland defense during the franchise's latest roster restructuring. 

"I think we’re getting a great player," Schwesinger said about Verse. "So I’m looking forward to working with him and getting him in this defense and get rolling. He’s going to be someone that’s real valuable to what we do and fit right in, and I think being able to work with him will be a lot of fun. He’s a great player. If you turn on a game, you saw the impact he made. When you get a player like that, you’re pumped." 

Over the first 34 regular-season games of his career, Verse recorded a total of 12 sacks. Together, he and Schwesinger could make for a formidable one-two punch if the two reach their advertised ceilings while with the Browns.