Dae’Quan Wright’s next stop looks like Baton Rouge.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday that Wright has an agreement to play for LSU this season once the Cleveland Browns waive him and he clears NFL waivers.
History: the Browns are waiving tight end Dae’Quan Wright and, if he clears waivers, he has an agreement in place for the 2026 season to play for LSU, per agents Drew Rosenhaus and Kyle Lincoln.
Wright is believed to be the first player who could play for an NFL team, and then… pic.twitter.com/3MLKNFYInY
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 23, 2026
It’s an unusual situation, but the choice itself makes plenty of sense.
LSU needs help at tight end behind Trey’Dez Green, and Wright can provide that. He caught 39 passes for 635 yards last season at Ole Miss and earned second‑team All‑SEC honors. He’s experienced, productive, and familiar with the league.
LSU has already added four former Rebels this offseason, so Wright wouldn’t be walking into a locker room full of strangers.
The path that got him here is where things get complicated.
A Louisiana judge issued a temporary restraining order last week that prevents the NCAA from blocking Wright’s return to college simply because he signed professional contracts. That ruling opened the door for him to re‑enter the transfer portal and pursue eligibility. LSU moved quickly, and Wright reportedly did too.
But the SEC’s intraconference transfer rule is still sitting in the middle of all this. Players moving between SEC schools must enter the portal when the window opens in January. Wright entered Thursday, which is well past the deadline.
The Louisiana order doesn’t touch that rule. It only addresses the NCAA’s professional‑contract restriction.
LSU’s agreement with Wright suggests the Tigers believe they can navigate the conference rule, whether through a waiver or another legal challenge. Until that’s resolved, nothing is guaranteed. Another NFL team could also claim Wright during the waiver period, which would delay everything.
If the final hurdles clear, Wright will reunite with Lane Kiffin and join Winston Watkins, Princewill Umanmielen, TJ Dottery, and Devin Harper as former Rebels now wearing purple and gold.
It would also make him the first player to go through the NFL Combine, sign contracts, participate in training camp, and then commit to a college program.
His offseason has already taken more turns than most players see in a career. Injuries pushed him out of the NFL Draft, Philadelphia signed him as an undrafted free agent, then released him. Cleveland picked him up on Aug. 11.
Now he’s on the verge of returning to college football at a program that needs him and a conference that still has to decide whether it will allow it.
The destination fits, but the process is still unfolding.
