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Cleveland Browns rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger has been named the Defensive Rookie of the Year for the 2025 NFL season.
Schwesinger won the award ahead of Abdul Carter of the New York Giants, Nick Emmanwori of the Seattle Seahawks and Xavier Watts and James Pearce Jr of the Atlanta Falcons.
Schwesinger finished with 40 of 50 first-place votes, edging out Emmanwori, who came in second place with 199 total points and seven first-place votes.
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Carson Schwesinger of the Cleveland Browns celebrates the team’s 13-6 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field on December 28, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images)
Schwesinger was the favorite going into the night after a tremendous year at middle linebacker for a formidable Browns defense despite what the record may say in 2025.
He is also only the fifth non-first round pick to win the award in the last 40 seasons.
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The second-round pick out of UCLA led all rookies with 146 combined tackles, putting him in the top five all-time for tackles in a rookie season.
Schwesinger also had two interceptions, 11 tackles for loss and three passes defensed.
Jonnu Smith of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches a pass against Carson Schwesinger #49 of the Cleveland Browns during the third quarter at Huntington Bank Field on December 28, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images)
Schwesinger has also struggled with an ankle injury this season, playing 16 of 17 games for Kevin Stefanski’s club. He also had 2.5 sacks and nine quarterback hits, demonstrating his ability to get to the quarterback.
Speaking of the coaching staff, the team gave Schwesinger the “green dot” on his helmet, meaning he was calling the shots on Cleveland’s defense all season as a rookie.
While first-rounders get the spotlight, it’s the players after the first day of the NFL Draft who make up an entire team.
Carson Schwesinger of the Cleveland Browns is introduced before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Huntington Bank Field on December 21, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images)
The Browns clearly had a successful second-rounder last year, as Schwesinger proved to be a key piece, and he has the stuff to prove it now.
