The Cleveland Browns' most underpaid player is pretty clear.
Cleveland Browns LB Carson Schwesinger won the 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and he was the 13th-highest-graded qualified run-blocking linebacker at Pro Football Focus.
As a second-round pick, Schwesinger is owed just $9.7 million over the course of the next three total seasons, which is why Bleacher Report NFL analyst Brad Gagnon has named Schwesinger the Browns' most underpaid player.
Schwesinger appeared in 16 games for the Browns last season. He finished with 2.5 sacks, 67 solo tackles, 11 tackles for loss and nine QB hits.
"Carson, he came in and all he said, and all he lived, is that he was going to earn it," Browns linebackers coach Jason Tarver said. "And that's the biggest thing that he did. He just came in and worked. His ability to, no matter what, run to the ball and get it on the ground and play with that great effort is what has earned him all these opportunities and Defensive Rookie of the Year.
"So really proud of how he approaches each and every day, trying to be his best. And further than that, it goes to every moment of the meeting, every play, his whole mindset is, 'I'm going to do this as good as I can. Make the play, finish in the pile, help my teammates up, and then go do it again.'"
Cleveland drafted Schwesinger with the 33rd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Schwesinger led all rookies last season with his 146 tackles and 11 tackles for loss and was tied for second with two interceptions. He recorded double-digit tackles in seven games during the 2025 season, including a stretch of six consecutive games – the longest streak in the NFL this season. His seven double-digit tackle games were also the most among NFL rookies.
With Schwesinger and super Myles Garrett leading the way, the Browns figure to have an elite defense again next season.
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