The Cleveland Browns had a productive season from their linebackers in 2025.
Carson Schwesinger, a second-round choice within the 2025 NFL Draft, led all rookies in tackles (146), tackles for loss (11), and added two interceptions and two-and-a-half sacks to earn Defensive Rookie of the 12 months honors.
Subsequent to Schwesinger was Devin Bush, who had a career-high 124 tackles and returned two of his three interceptions for touchdowns.
The one particular person lacking was Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, whose profession seems to be over after not having performed since struggling a neck harm in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens in 2024.
Trying to the 2026 season, Schwesinger is again and able to construct off his rookie marketing campaign, whereas Bush is now a member of the Chicago Bears after signing as a free agent. In his place is seven-year veteran Quincy Williams, a First Workforce All-Professional choice in 2023, who has seen his manufacturing decline in the course of the previous two seasons with the New York Jets.
Schwesinger and Williams are going to be the first gamers in new defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg’s scheme that typically makes use of simply two linebackers. As for a way the remainder of the group shakes out, let’s take an abbreviated look as we depend down the times to the beginning of coaching camp.
Reid CarricoJustin JeffersonEaston Mascarenas-ArnoldWinston ReidCarson SchwesingerEdefuan UlofoshioNathaniel WatsonQuincy Williams
BEREA, OHIO – MAY 27: Quincy Williams #5 of the Cleveland Browns runs a drill in the course of the Cleveland Browns OTA Offseason Exercises at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on Could 27, 2026 in Berea, Ohio. (Photograph by Nick Cammett/Diamond Photographs by way of Getty Photographs) Diamond Photographs/Getty Photographs
Schwesinger is the unquestioned star of the place group and a foundational piece of Cleveland’s protection. After a rookie season that noticed him take dwelling Defensive Rookie of the 12 months honors and be named by his friends as one of many prime 100 gamers within the league, Schwesinger takes the subsequent step to cement his place as one of many sport’s greatest younger gamers on the place.
Williams had a disappointing season with the New York Jets in 2025, which is comprehensible given the Jets. However now reunited with Mike Rutenberg, who coached Williams with the Jets and the Jacksonville Jaguars, Williams returns to the shape that made him an All-Professional in 2023.
As for the remainder of the group, Jefferson solidifies himself as a key member of the particular groups unit whereas exhibiting he can maintain his personal when referred to as upon to play snaps on protection. Watson, Mascarenas-Arnold, and Reid present sufficient in coaching camp and the preseason to make for some arduous choices when cutdown day arrives.
Schwesinger takes a step again now that Myles Garrett is not round to occupy a number of offensive linemen, and it seems that 2025 is extra reflective of Williams’ degree of play, even with a well-known face in Rutenberg working the protection.
As a result of if Schwesinger and Williams are usually not the highest playmakers at linebacker, it’ll be an extended season for the Browns, because the place group is arguably the weakest on the protection.
Improved or Worse Than 2025’s Model
Let’s name this one a wash. Schwesinger seems to be the actual deal and ought to be simply nearly as good, if not higher, than his rookie marketing campaign. Williams has some pretty decent-sized sneakers to fill in changing Devin Bush, who had a profession yr with the Browns in 2025 earlier than signing with the Chicago Bears in free company. However Williams ought to nonetheless have sufficient left to come back near matching what Bush gave the Browns final season, particularly given his consolation degree enjoying in Rutenberg’s protection.
The remainder of the group, outdoors of Jefferson, is principally the identical names as final season, which reinforces the thought of this being a place that may be a wash when in comparison with the 2025 model.
What do you see while you have a look at Cleveland’s linebacker room? Is there an addition to the depth chart you wish to see? Share your ideas within the remark part under.
