Late one night at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz was looking for a snack.
He wandered into the linebacker room, hoping to have luck there, but instead found rookie LB Carson Schwesinger watching film. That kind of dedication, Schwartz said, has helped Schwesinger earn more responsibility and earn the respect of his coaches and teammates.
When Schwesinger takes the field on Sept. 7 at Huntington Bank Field for the Browns season opener against the Bengals, he will be a leader on the defensive side of the ball as a result of his commitment. Schwesinger will have the responsibility of wearing the green dot on the back of his helmet, relaying plays to the 10 other defensive players.
"For a college guy coming in, it's a different communication than in college because a lot of colleges, they look over for the signal. Nobody really says anything here," Schwartz said on Aug. 14. "He's a rookie. He has to command the huddle. He has to make calls and do a lot more things like that, and he has excelled in all those things."
After LB Jordan Hicks retired on the second day of training, Schwesinger was thrown into the fire of potentially starting in his rookie season. On July 25, the day that Hicks was put on the reserve/retired list, head coach Kevin Stefanski sang the praises of Schwesinger. Stefanski had confidence in the second-round pick should he have to start, stating that he was impressed by the way Schwesinger came into the facility and was about his business.
Before training camp started, G Joel Bitonio saw Schwesinger's preparation firsthand. While Bitonio was walking through the facility, he saw Schwesinger walking through what a green dot player would do. Now, two months later, Schwesinger is in that role and is taking a leadership role on an NFL defense.
"(Carson Schwesinger's) been great. He got thrown in and I think he has run with it," Bitonio said. "He has made so many plays at practice and in the games, he has made tackles I think every time he has played."
In the two NFL preseason games Schwesinger played in, he recorded at least one tackle. Against the Panthers in Schwesinger's first taste of NFL action, it took him 13 plays to record six tackles. Then, against the Rams in the Browns' final preseason game, he notched a tackle and showcased his ability to get to the quarterback, getting a quarterback hit. Not only has he tracked down the quarterback and ball carrier, but, according to Schwartz, he led the Browns in interceptions during training camp as well.
Throughout every test he has been handed in his few months in the NFL, he has passed it and showcased why assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone thinks the Browns got a steal with the 33rd overall pick.
"It's a pretty unique situation to step in and take on such an impactful role as a rookie. I can't say enough good things about him," Ventrone said. "When we evaluated him, when I evaluated him, the first thing I saw on tape was his instinct. (He's) always around the football. Really good tackler, super smart, great kid, good communicator. He has leadership traits."
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 1 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Offensive lineman Cole Strange (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Offensive lineman Garrett Dellinger (52) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Trayveon Williams (36) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver DeAndre Carter (2) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) and Bill Willis Diversity Fellow Michael Bearden during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive back Jarrick Bernard-Converse (20) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Tight end Brenden Bates (82) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Center Luke Wypler (56) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) and Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Trayveon Williams (36) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (90) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Wide receiver DeAndre Carter (2) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Offensive lineman Cole Strange (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Safety Damontae Kazee (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Trayveon Williams (36) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Safety Christopher Edmonds (41) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Cornerback LaMareon James (27) and Defensive Line Coach Jacques Cesaire during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Safeties Coach Ephraim Banda during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Tight end Brenden Bates (82) and Tight end Sal Cannella (87) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas (71) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (90) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Safety Christopher Edmonds (41) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Running back Trayveon Williams (36) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Running back Trayveon Williams (36) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Linebacker Jerome Baker (17) and Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Kicker Andre Szmyt (25) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) and Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Dale Jones during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Schwartz has also hammered in three additional traits to Schwesinger -- be physical, play fast and have fun. For Schwesinger, that last trait isn't all too hard. He said that since he was five years old, playing football in the backyard with his brother, he has had a passion for the sport.
Even game planning he likes, especially now that he doesn't have class. At UCLA, Schwesinger majored in bioengineering while also having to focus on football. Now, in the NFL, while it's more to gameplan for, there's no bioengineering homework that comes along with it.
"To anybody that loves football, (Carson Schwesinger's) the perfect guy for it," LB Jerome Baker said. "Just sit down with him and just talk ball. He understands it. He can speak on it. It's like he's a rookie, but his mind is definitely way beyond his years."
Come Sunday, the Browns will lean on Schwesinger's various traits. He won't just be called on to relay the play and help line up the defense, but he'll also have to utilize his preparation to help figure out what the Bengals' offense is doing. Against a potent passing and running Cincinnati team with both QB Joe Burrow and RB Chase Brown in the backfield, Schwesinger is being relied upon to help start the Browns' season with a divisional win.
"I'm excited, especially for it to be at home and get a taste of that and the Dawg Pound and see what that's all about," Schwesinger said.
