Early returns are showing the Cleveland Browns made the right move to give exciting rookie a fully guaranteed contract

The Cleveland Browns were the second team to give out a fully guaranteed contract to their second-round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft. That decision with linebacker Carson Schwesinger helped send ripples through the league, leading to several other second-round picks receiving fully guaranteed deals.

Cleveland got its first look at the rookie linebacker in game action on Friday evening, and he did not disappoint. The Browns played only a few starters sparingly, including rookies Schwesinger and DT Mason Graham.

Schwesinger was on the field for just 13 defensive snaps but managed to rack up six total tackles—four of them solo. After the Browns’ 30-10 win over the Carolina Panthers, head coach Kevin Stefanski had high praise for the UCLA product.

“Carson, in particular, was productive when he was in there,” Stefanski said. “I thought he did a nice job of playing physical—engaged with a blocker and still made a tackle. So, you just see his skill set showing up, really, in that short amount of time.”

Schwesinger is expected to wear the green dot for Jim Schwartz’s defense, meaning he’ll rarely come off the field. The Browns need him in a big way following the loss of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, and the rookie looks poised to step up.

In limited action against Carolina, Schwesinger flashed his ability to read and react quickly, as well as his physical style of play. He was mostly surrounded by backups on the Browns’ defense while facing the Panthers’ starters early on—and still impressed. Carolina’s first drive, led by Bryce Young, ended in a three-and-out.