Schwesinger Named Starter as Browns Seek Defensive Revival
The Cleveland Browns ended the 2024 season with a disappointing 3-14 record, their worst under head coach Kevin Stefanski. Defensive inconsistency, especially at linebacker was a glaring weakness. With Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah sidelined for most of the season, the Browns prioritized talent at the position in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Enter Carson Schwesinger, a former UCLA walk-on who exploded in his senior year with 136 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and two game-clinching interceptions. According to Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com, Schwesinger is already penciled in as a starting middle linebacker. Stefanski reportedly “enamored with his speed,” also praised the rookie’s rapid grasp of Jim Schwartz’s defensive system.
Cleveland put their money where their mouth is, signing Schwesinger to a fully guaranteed four-year, $11.8 million contract. Only the second such deal for a second-round pick in NFL history. The investment reflects just how much faith they have in his rookie readiness.
Sanders Slips in Clevelands’ QB Battle
While excitement brews on defense, the Browns’ quarterback room is stirring up controversy. Shedeur Sanders, once thought to be a potential first-round talent, now finds himself deep in the depth chart. And possibly in danger of missing the 53-man roster.
On the Nightcap podcast, former Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh revealed that “it’s really coming down to Kenny Pickett or Dillon Gabriel,” not Sanders. Despite showing flashes during minicamp, reports suggest Sanders has mostly been practicing with the third- and fourth-string units.
He’s currently ranked behind Joe Flacco, Gabriel, and Pickett, with ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi reporting that his roster spot isn’t guaranteed. Still, Stefanski hasn’t closed the door, praising both rookies’ work ethic: “They’re sponges in the meeting room.”
With training camp kicking off on July 25, time is running out for Shedeur Sanders to reverse his slide. For now, Schwesinger is the rookie commanding headlines in Cleveland, not the quarterback many expected.
