Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger wins NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

Cleveland Browns rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger was named the Defensive Rookie of the Year for the 2025 NFL season.

Schwesinger won the grant implicit New York Giants' Abdul Carter, Seattle Seahawks’ Nick Emmanwori, and Atlanta Falcons’ Xavier Watts and James Pearce Jr.

Schwesinger finished with 40 of 50 first-place votes, beating retired Emmanwori, who came successful 2nd spot with 199 points full and 7 first-place votes.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Carson Schwesinger of the Cleveland Browns celebrates the team's 13-6 triumph implicit the Pittsburgh Steelers astatine Huntington Bank Field connected Dec. 28, 2025 successful Cleveland, Ohio. (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images)

Schwesinger was the favourite coming into the nighttime aft a tremendous twelvemonth astatine mediate linebacker for a formidable Browns defence contempt what the grounds whitethorn accidental successful 2025.

He’s besides conscionable the 5th non-first-round prime that has won the grant successful the past 40 seasons.

MIKE VRABEL WINS COACH OF THE YEAR AFTER HISTORIC PATRIOTS TURNAROUND AHEAD OF SUPER BOWL LX

The second-round prime retired of UCLA led each rookies with 146 combined tackles, which has him successful the apical 5 all-time for tackles successful a rookie season.

Schwesinger besides notched 2 interceptions, 11 tackles for nonaccomplishment and 3 passes defended.

Jonnu Smith of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches a walk against Carson Schwesinger #49 of the Cleveland Browns during the 3rd 4th astatine Huntington Bank Field connected Dec. 28, 2025 successful Cleveland, Ohio. (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images)

Schwesinger besides battled done an ankle wounded this season, playing 16 of 17 games for Kevin Stefanski’s club. He tallied 2.5 sacks and 9 backmost hits arsenic well, showcasing his quality to get to the quarterback.

Speaking of the coaching staff, the squad gave Schwesinger the "green dot" connected his helmet, meaning helium was calling the defence successful the huddle for Cleveland each play arsenic a rookie.

While first-rounders get the spotlight, it’s players aft time 1 of the NFL Draft that marque a squad whole.

Carson Schwesinger of the Cleveland Browns is introduced anterior to a crippled against the Buffalo Bills astatine Huntington Bank Field connected Dec. 21, 2025 successful Cleveland, Ohio. (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The Browns intelligibly got their second-rounder close this past year, arsenic Schwesinger proved to beryllium a cornerstone piece, and helium has the hardware to beryllium it now.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.