Deatrich Wise Jr. Bio
Deatrich Wise Jr. (born July 26, 1994) is an American professional football defensive end for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and listed at 280 pounds, he plays on the defensive line and has spent his entire professional career in the league since 2017. He is a Super Bowl champion, having won a ring with the New England Patriots.
Wise played college football at the University of Arkansas before being selected by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft. After seven seasons in New England, he joined the Washington Commanders in 2025. He is recognized as a durable pass rusher and a respected veteran presence in the locker room.
Early Life and Background
Deatrich Wise Jr. was born on July 26, 1994, in Suffolk, Virginia, and is the eldest of three sons. He was raised by his mother, Sheila Wise, and his father, Deatrich Wise, who is a former football player. His younger brother, Daniel Wise, has also played professional football, giving the family a clear connection to the sport across generations. His mother served 22 years as a nurse in the United States Army, anchoring the family with a strong sense of duty and discipline.
Wise attended Hebron High School in Carrollton, Texas, where he played defensive end for the Hebron Hawks football team. Recruiting services such as Scout.com, Rivals.com and 247Sports ranked him among the top 40 defensive ends in the nation. His three-star prospect status earned him scholarship offers from Arkansas, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Arizona, Purdue and Wake Forest, and he was later inducted into the Hebron High School Hall of Fame in 2024.
Path to American Football
Wise accepted a scholarship to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks, where he spent five seasons developing his game from 2012 through 2016. He made the First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll for the 2012–2013 semester and graduated in 2016 with a degree in kinesiology, showing a balance between classroom work and athletic growth. He appeared in the 2017 East–West Shrine Game, where he recorded eight combined tackles, 1.5 sacks, four quarterback pressures and a forced fumble in a 10–3 victory, lifting his draft stock.
He was one of 59 defensive linemen invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and also worked out at Arkansas’ Pro Day on March 15, 2017. These showcases confirmed his combination of size, length and motor, leading to his selection by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft, 131st overall.
Deatrich Wise Jr. Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
The New England Patriots selected Wise in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft and signed him to a four-year, $2.97 million contract that included a signing bonus of $575,883. He made an immediate impact, recording his first career sack against the Kansas City Chiefs in his very first game. He finished his rookie season with 26 tackles and 5 sacks, including 2 sacks against the Tennessee Titans in the Divisional Round as the Patriots advanced to Super Bowl LII.
In 2018, Wise posted 30 tackles, 15 of them solo, along with 4.5 sacks while continuing to grow as a rotational pass rusher. He helped the Patriots reach Super Bowl LIII, where the defense shut down the Los Angeles Rams in a 13–3 victory, giving Wise his first Super Bowl championship.
New England Patriots Breakthrough (2017–2024)
Wise continued to develop into a reliable starting defensive end for the Patriots throughout his tenure. In Week 3 of the 2020 season against the Las Vegas Raiders, he strip-sacked quarterback Derek Carr and recovered the football in the end zone for his first career touchdown during a 36–20 win. On March 19, 2021, he re-signed with New England on a four-year, $22 million contract, solidifying his long-term role with the team.
His most productive season came in 2022, when he started 16 games and set career highs with 7.5 sacks and 59 tackles, anchoring the defensive line as a three-down player. Across his Patriots career, he became known for his run defense, leadership and consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Washington Commanders Era (2025–Present)
On March 19, 2025, Wise signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Washington Commanders, beginning a new chapter in his career. He joined a defense looking to add veteran leadership and pass-rushing experience to its front line. He appeared in the season opener for Washington, but on September 11 he suffered a season-ending quad injury in the team’s Week 2 matchup with the Green Bay Packers. The Commanders placed him on injured reserve four days later.
Wise signed a one-year contract extension with the Commanders on March 6, 2026, keeping him in Washington as he continues his recovery and return to play. His presence in the locker room and his track record of production make him a key piece of the team’s defensive plans.
Driving Style and Strengths
Wise is a long, powerful defensive end whose 6-foot-5 frame allows him to win leverage battles at the line of scrimmage. He is at his best against the run, using length and strength to set the edge, and he has developed into a steady interior and edge pass rusher who can collapse pockets. Coaches have praised his football intelligence, durability and willingness to play multiple techniques along the defensive front.
Notable Events and Milestones
Wise’s first career sack came in his NFL debut against the Kansas City Chiefs, an unusually fast start for a rookie defensive lineman. He recorded his first career touchdown in 2020 against the Las Vegas Raiders, and he set a personal best with 7.5 sacks in 2022. His most defining moment came as a champion of Super Bowl LIII with the New England Patriots.
Deatrich Wise Jr. Career Wins
Wise has built a reputation as a consistent contributor rather than a headline-grabbing stat-sheet leader, and his career win totals reflect steady team success. His most prominent team victory is a Super Bowl championship, earned during the 2018 season with the New England Patriots.
New England Patriots Highlights
During his time with the Patriots from 2017 to 2024, Wise helped New England reach multiple Super Bowls and playoff appearances, anchoring the defensive line. He registered 2 sacks in a Divisional Round win over the Tennessee Titans and played a key role in the Super Bowl LIII victory over the Los Angeles Rams. His career totals with the team include 318 tackles and 34 sacks as of the 2025 season.
Other Wins and Performances
Wise earned All-Conference recognition through his strong play in the SEC during his time at Arkansas and was a standout at the 2017 East–West Shrine Game, where he was named one of the top performers. He has been a consistent starter and a respected veteran presence throughout his professional career.
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Deatrich Wise Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Wise comes from a family with deep roots in football. His father, Deatrich Wise, played the sport professionally, and his younger brother, Daniel Wise, has also pursued a professional football career. His mother, Sheila Wise, dedicated 22 years to service as a nurse in the United States Army, instilling discipline and resilience in the family.
Personal Life
Wise is a vegan and became a part-time owner of Veggie Galaxy, a restaurant in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 2024. He and his family operate a non-contact youth program called Wise Big Man Camp, which is open to 7th through 12th graders interested in learning the basics of football. He was also inducted into the Hebron High School Hall of Fame in 2024.
2025 Season Performance
Wise signed with the Washington Commanders in March 2025 and entered the season as an experienced starter on the defensive line. He played in the season opener before suffering a season-ending quad injury in the Week 2 matchup with the Green Bay Packers on September 11. The Commanders placed him on injured reserve shortly afterward, cutting short what was expected to be a productive campaign.
Despite the injury, Wise remained an influential voice in the locker room as a veteran leader. He signed a one-year contract extension on March 6, 2026, signaling the team’s confidence in his recovery and long-term value. The Commanders view him as a key piece of their defensive plans going forward.
