Cleveland Browns' linebacker Carson Schwesinger has continue to dominant in his quest of becoming the 2025 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
After the Cleveland Browns decided to hire former NFL head coach Jim Schwartz to become the next defensive coordinator back in 2023, the organization has quickly developed into one of the best defensive teams in the entire league.
Under Schwartz this season, the struggling franchise ranks first in passing yards allowed per game (167.0) and second in total yards allowed per game (273.5). And while fans could look at star EDGE rusher Myles Garrett and his impressive 15-sack season for the majority of the success, the defensive effort is held together by rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger.
As the No. 33 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the expectations for Schwesinger were high for the young playmaker entering his first season. During training camp, the former UCLA standout would receive high praise from the coaching staff, along with the important task of being the team’s “green dot”.
Luckily for Schwesinger and the entire Browns coaching staff, the highly-touted rookie has not disappointed through his first 10 games of the 2025 season.
This season, Schwesinger has racked up a team-high 85 tackles, with 38 being solo and eight being tackles for losses. In addition to the defender seemingly making every single play, Schwartz has been able to get him involved in the pass rush, as Schwesinger has recorded nine quarterback pressures and two sacks.
Lance Reisland (Coach Riz) (@LanceReisland) on X
This is an elite rep from Schwesinger. Baltimore is running their zone-read bluff look, and his instincts jump off the screen. The change of direction, the short-area burst, the ability to diagnose and close, this is high-level linebacker play. He chases down Lamar Jackson in
One of the key reasons why the defense has taken a huge step this season is due to the consistency against the run.
Fellow rookie and defensive tackle Mason Graham has been a great aid to the ongoing issue, but Schwesinger’s success against the run has been a perfect fill-in for linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who has not seen the field in over a year.
Following his impressive Week 11 performance against the Baltimore Ravens, Schwesinger is now the heavy favorite to win the Defensive Player of the Year Award, according to a majority of the popular sportsbooks.
If he were to win the prestigious award, Schwesinger would be the first Browns player to win since former linebacker Chip Banks back in 1982.
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