​Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger had an impressive rookie season, winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.Schwesinger is already receiving high praise for his play, as an ESPN article that polled NFL executives and coaches ranked him as the third-best off-ball linebacker in the league.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHe finished the 2025 season with 156 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three pass deflections, and two interceptions.”He’s [Luke] Kuechly reincarnated,” a personnel executive with an NFL team said. “Elite speed, athleticism, instincts, ball skills.”Schwesinger is a key piece of the Browns’ defense, and they will look for him to continue developing heading into his second season.”Plays fast, excellent instincts, good in coverage,” a high-ranking AFC evaluator said. “Impressive for a rookie.”Ken Blaze-Imagn ImagesHe will become a bigger leader for Cleveland’s defense after the team traded superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementGarrett had a historic season for the Browns in 2025, finishing with 60 total tackles, 33 tackles for loss, 23 sacks, and three forced fumbles. He won the Defensive Player of the Year award, but Cleveland moved him to Los Angeles for Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick.Verse will now be a young piece for the Browns’ defense alongside Schwesinger for the future.The 25-year-old has been a Pro Bowler in his first two seasons and finished the 2025 season with 58 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles.Cleveland has consistently been one of the league’s top defenses despite often finishing with a record near the bottom. However, with Garrett’s departure, it puts a lot of pressure on the budding stars of the Browns, Schwesinger and Verse, to keep the Browns an elite unit under a new head coach, Todd Monken.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMonken hired Mike Rutenberg as the defensive coordinator after Jim Schwartz left the organization, as he was frustrated by not being named the next head coach.Cleveland has an exciting new era ahead, and it will be led by young talent like Schwesinger.Browns Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Browns. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.