SAN FRANCISCO — Despite not being the first defender picked in his draft class and with another on his own team selected 28 spots earlier, Carson Schwesinger made an immediate impact in the 2025 NFL season. The 22-year-old linebacker for the Cleveland Browns earned the Associated Press NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award at the NFL Honors event, capturing 40 out of 50 first-place votes. He became just the second player in franchise history, joining Chip Banks, to receive this prestigious recognition.
Impressive Statistics Mark Schwesinger’s Rookie Campaign
Selected as the initial pick of the second round from UCLA, Schwesinger was anticipated to contribute early and exceeded expectations by recording 156 tackles, ranking sixth in the league. His tackle total is the second-highest ever by a Browns player, just behind D’Qwell Jackson’s 158 tackles in 2011. Alongside his tackles, Schwesinger added 2.5 sacks and two interceptions, underscoring his versatile defensive presence throughout the season.
Additional Honors and Browns’ Defensive Dominance Recognized
Besides the Associated Press award, Schwesinger was also named Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America, an honor previously won by Chip Banks during his rookie year in 1982. Banks’ inaugural campaign included 5.5 sacks during a strike-shortened season, setting a standard for Browns rookies. Schwesinger’s achievements stand out in Browns history and the broader NFL defensive landscape.
In the same ceremony, another Browns defender, Myles Garrett, received the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award for a second time in three years, reinforcing Cleveland’s reputation for producing elite defensive talent.
Words of love from the family of the DROY finalists ❤️
NFL Honors on NBC/NFL Network
Stream on @NFLPlus & Peacock pic.twitter.com/uG5R4MjE1j— NFL (@NFL) February 6, 2026
