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). He played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks and was selected by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft. Standing 196 cm tall, Wise has built a reputation as a steady pass rusher and run defender over a professional career that began in 2017.
Across his NFL career, Wise has been recognized for his durability, his football intelligence, and his role in helping his teams reach the postseason. He earned a Super Bowl championship ring with New England and remains an active contributor at the professional level.
Early Life and Background
Deatrich Wise Jr. was born on July 26, 1994, in Suffolk, Virginia, and grew up as the eldest of three sons. He is the son of Sheila Wise and Deatrich Wise Sr., a former football player whose own career influenced the household’s connection to the sport. His younger brother, Daniel Wise, also went on to play professional football, continuing the family’s involvement in the game.
Wise attended Hebron High School in Carrollton, Texas, where he lined up at defensive end for the Hebron Hawks. Recruiting services such as Scout.com, Rivals.com, and 247Sports ranked him among the top defensive ends nationally, and he earned a three-star prospect rating. His high school performance drew scholarship offers from Arkansas, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Arizona, Purdue, and Wake Forest.
Later in life, Wise was inducted into the Hebron High School Hall of Fame, recognizing both his athletic achievements and his continued connection to his alma mater.
Path to American Football
Wise’s journey toward professional football began in earnest during his senior season at Hebron High School, when his combination of size, strength, and quickness attracted attention from college scouts across the country. After weighing his options, he committed to the University of Arkansas, joining a Southeastern Conference program with a strong tradition of developing defensive linemen.
At Arkansas, Wise worked his way into the Razorbacks’ defensive rotation and steadily increased his production. He accepted an invitation to play 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. He was also invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and participated at Arkansas’ Pro Day on March 15, 2017. Off the field, he made the First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll for the 2012–2013 semester and graduated in 2016 with a degree in kinesiology.
Deatrich Wise Jr. Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
The New England Patriots selected Wise in the fourth round, 131st overall, of the 2017 NFL draft. On May 18, 2017, he signed a four-year, $2.97 million contract that included a signing bonus of $575,883. He made an immediate impression, recording a sack against the Kansas City Chiefs in his first career game and finishing his rookie season with 26 tackles and 5 sacks. In the Divisional Round against the Tennessee Titans, he added 2 more sacks as New England advanced to Super Bowl LII, where the Patriots fell 41–33 to the Philadelphia Eagles.
In 2018, Wise posted 30 tackles (15 solo) and 4.5 sacks while helping the Patriots reach Super Bowl LIII. New England defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13–3, giving Wise a Super Bowl championship in just his second professional season.
New England Patriots Breakthrough (2019–2024)
Wise continued to grow into a reliable contributor along the New England defensive line. On March 19, 2021, he re-signed with the Patriots on a four-year, $22 million deal, a contract that reflected his value as a core member of the defense.
Wise had his best professional year in 2022, starting 16 games and recording a career-high 7.5 sacks to go along with 59 tackles. Earlier, during the 2020 season, he had earned his first career touchdown in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders, strip-sacking Derek Carr and recovering the football in the end zone during a 36–20 victory. Across his Patriots tenure from 2017 through 2024, he developed into one of the team’s most consistent edge presences, combining run defense with the ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks. He played a key role in helping New England remain competitive in the AFC throughout the late 2010s and early 2020s.
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 professional career. He joined a Washington defense looking to add experienced pass-rushing depth.
Wise’s 2025 season was cut short on September 11, when he suffered a season-ending quad injury during the Commanders’ Week 2 matchup with the Green Bay Packers. Four days later, the team placed him on injured reserve, ending his availability for the remainder of the campaign.
Driving Style and Strengths
Wise is recognized for his combination of length, leverage, and hand technique at the defensive end position. His background in a varied Patriots scheme allowed him to develop skills both as a traditional edge rusher and as an interior pass rusher on sub-package downs. Coaches have valued his football IQ and his ability to set the edge against the run, traits that have made him a dependable three-down contributor when healthy.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Wise’s career are his first career sack against the Kansas City Chiefs in his 2017 debut, his first career touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020, and his Super Bowl LIII championship with New England. He has also earned recognition off the field through his induction into the Hebron High School Hall of Fame.
Deatrich Wise Jr. Career Wins
Deatrich Wise Jr.’s professional resume features a Super Bowl championship and steady individual production across multiple seasons. He has been a starter and rotational contributor for teams that have remained in postseason contention throughout his career.
New England Patriots Highlights
During his time with New England from 2017 to 2024, Wise helped the Patriots reach multiple Super Bowls and earned a championship ring following Super Bowl LIII. He recorded a career-high 7.5 sacks in 2022 while starting 16 games, and he posted 5 sacks as a rookie in 2017. His divisional-round performance against the Tennessee Titans and his strip-sack touchdown against the Raiders stand out among his most memorable single-game contributions.
Other Wins & Performances
In addition to his team success, Wise earned recognition at the high school level with his induction into the Hebron High School Hall of Fame. His standout performance at the 2017 East–West Shrine Game further highlighted his pass-rushing ability and helped solidify his draft stock heading into the 2017 NFL draft.
Deatrich Wise Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Wise comes from a family with deep ties to football. His father, Deatrich Wise Sr., played the sport professionally, and his younger brother, Daniel Wise, also pursued a professional football career. His mother, Sheila Wise, served 22 years as a nurse in the United States Army, a background that has shaped the family’s emphasis on discipline and service.
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 the Wise Big Man Camp, which is open to 7th through 12th graders interested in learning the basics of football.
2025 Season Performance
Wise entered the 2025 season with the Washington Commanders after signing a one-year, $5 million contract on March 19, 2025. He was expected to add veteran leadership and pass-rushing depth to a Commanders defense aiming to compete in the NFC.
His 2025 campaign was brief. On September 11, Wise suffered a season-ending quad injury during the Commanders’ Week 2 matchup with the Green Bay Packers, and the team placed him on injured reserve four days later.
Looking ahead, the focus for Wise shifts to recovery and rehabilitation as he works toward returning to the field in a future season.