Cleveland Browns standout linebacker Carson Schwesinger defied expectations, claiming Defensive Rookie of the Year honors following a dominant first season
There was a general sense of confusion externally when the Cleveland Browns used the first pick of the second round of last year's draft to select linebacker Carson Schwesinger out of UCLA.
With so many needs on offense, Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager, Andrew Berry opted to draft defensive players with each of Cleveland's first two picks. First was DT Mason Graham, then Schwesinger.
On Thursday night, that decision paid off for Berry in a major way as Schwesinger was voted the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Scwhesinger accepted the award at the NFL Honors in San Francisco, immortalizing his incredible rookie seasons forever.
The 22-year-old became just the second Browns player to ever win a rookie of the year award. Linebacker Chip Banks was the first to do it back in 1982.
Schwesinger battled through a nagging ankle injury around the mid-way point of the season to ultimately play in 16 games in 2025, missing the season finale due to quad injury.
He did more than enough to cement himself ahead of his rookie peers to claim the DROY. Schwesinger finished with a team-high 156 combined tackles, (sixth most in the NFL) 11 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He also snagged two interceptions on the season and defensed three passes. His nine QB hits were third most on the team, as well.
Cleveland has never had a player win the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, however, former quarterback Baker Mayfield won the PFWA overall Rookie of the Year Award back in 2018. Schwesinger won the PFWA's Defensive Player of the Year Award as well, but lost out on the overall award to Carolina Panthers' WR Tetairoa McMillan.
It became apparent during training camp that Schwesinger was going to be an important part of the Browns defense. After veteran linebacker Jordan Hicks retired, Schwesinger was thrust into the role of wearing the green dot and calling the defensive plays on the field.
Despite having a lot thrown on his plate immediately, the UCLA walk-on handled it with a lot of poise and caught the attention of his teammates well before the season even kicked off.
Once it did, Schwesinger settled in quickly and became an immediate star in the middle of the Browns defense, alongside Myles Garrett on the defensive line and Denzel Ward in the secondary.
If his memorable rookie campaign is any indication, Schwesinger will be a key piece of a young core that will be pivotal to the team's eventual turnaround.