An ex-Cleveland Browns player stood out in the USFL title game and deserves a 2nd chance

The USFL capped off its first season with an amazing championship game and one former Cleveland Browns player deserved MVP honors.

The USFL had a pretty successful season all things considered. While every game being played in Birmingham, AL wasn’t the most desirable thing, they got through a full season, a championship game, and announced a second season. That’s a lot more than the AFL and XFL can say. Plus, beyond the games, most of which were fun, including the title game, a lot of players got a chance to showcase their skills. Everyone from undrafted free agents to ex-members of the Cleveland Browns.

One of those former players should very much be on the radar of the Browns once again. That man is none other than the aptly named Scooby Wright. Wright, aka Philip Anthony Wright III, was a former Browns player who got drafted in the 7th round of the 2016 NFL draft.

He only lasted until December when the Arizona Cardinals signed him off the Browns practice squad, but he’s certainly someone who had potential. He showed the world that potential in 2022 for the Birmingham Stallions.

In 10 games for the Stallions, he had 52 tackles, and three sacks, and was one of the better coverage linebackers not just on the team but in the league this year. He showed that off in the championship game, with a pass deflection and game-saving interception for a touchdown.

The Cleveland Browns should consider bringing back Scooby Wright

Scooby Wright isn’t going to be the star of a defense at the NFL level, but he could be a third or fourth linebacker. He’s got the coverage awareness needed to impact a game, as well as an ability to apply pressure when needed.

He’s not an All-Pro who hasn’t gotten a fair shake but he could conceivably be a starter for a lot of teams, and may even provide a much-needed coverage guy for the Browns linebacking corp. He’d be inexpensive and would fit right in with what the Browns do on defense.