CHARLOTTE – The Browns have completed their first two weeks of training camp and are in the midst of the preseason, preparing to face the Panthers in Week 1 on Aug. 8.
Training camp provided opportunities across all positions for players to showcase their skill sets, as the coaching staff set the standard early to ramp up players and create a competitive environment out on the field. They took that competitive nature to the next level in holding a joint practice with the Panthers as a chance to see an opposing offense and defense in practice.
After wrapping up their joint practice with the Panthers ahead of Week 1 of the preseason, we opened the mailbag to answer your questions about training camp.
How do you see the linebackers stepping up this year without JOK, and now (Jordan) Hicks? –John C., Columbus, Ohio
The linebacker room will have a new feel during the 2025 season following the retirement of Jordan Hicks and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah being placed on reserve/PUP. And the Browns will need someone to step up into a larger role.
As the middle of the defense, head coach Kevin Stefanski talked about how the linebacker position is one that serves as the nerve center of the defense. It requires both an intelligence and understanding of football – especially at middle linebacker as they are lining up teammates, making calls and making adjustments in game.
The Browns' linebacker room has players who have those qualities and can earn those larger roles – from veterans like Jerome Baker, Devin Bush and third-year player Mohamoud Diabate to young players such as Winston Reid, Nathaniel Watson and rookie Carson Schwesinger.
"We have players that have played in this scheme, and now they're able to play the other spots," linebackers coach Jason Tarver said. "So, it gives us a lot of flexibility in that all of these young guys are competing, but if somebody does a certain role better, he may earn that role. So, it's awesome in the room right now. They're all learning it all, and they're hyper competitive to do anything, to answer my questions, to get the ball. That's how we want it. We want the competition, and the guys have embraced the competition. Let's see how this goes, because it's fun to watch right now."
The Browns have used training camp to evaluate their linebacker room and will carve out roles for their unit in the front seven. Yet, as they define those specific roles, as a unit they know their collective role in the defense.
"We're the nerve center of the defense, but the linebackers are linebackers," Tarver said.
"That's our job. Our job is to get everybody lined up, make the call, communicate, then make the D-line right or wear whoever else right and get the guy on the ground."
What is the quarterback situation looking like during training camp? Who seems to be standing out the most? – Brenden B., Marietta, Ohio
The quarterback competition continues, and the Browns have found ways to get reps for all four quarterbacks in the first two blocks of training camp and the joint practice against the Panthers.
During training camp, they truly all have had moments that stood out. Whether it was specific team drills where they connected with pass catchers or used their legs to make plays, each has showcased different areas of their game.
But training camp hasn't come without its challenges for the quarterback room. QB Kenny Pickett missed three days of practice with a hamstring injury he endured on July 26. QB Dillon Gabriel was limited in practice this week with hamstring tightness. Both have been limited in practice as they work to be fully healthy, and neither quarterback will play in the first preseason game against the Panthers. With those injuries, the Browns signed QB Tyler Huntley provide depth heading into their matchup against the Panthers.
Now that the Browns will begin to play live games, beginning on Aug. 8 against the Panthers, this will be the next step in the evaluation process for their quarterbacks. QB Shedeur Sanders will start against the Panthers, providing the coaching staff with game film to see how Sanders operates in an NFL offense against an opposing defense.
How is Dylan Sampson looking in practice? – Roy H., Canton, Ohio
Rookie RB Dylan Sampson has looked strong through training camp and the joint practice with the Panthers. He's taken reps with different offensive groups and showcased how he can find the running lanes from the offensive line as well as weave his way around defensive players.
During OTAs, running backs coach Duce Staley said Sampson was learning the Browns' offensive system. Throughout camp, he showcased how he understood his different responsibilities on his routes and his role in protection.
"He's making the most of all opportunities that's given to him," Staley said. "Being able to play him in the slot sometimes, being able to put him in the backfield, moving them around, dumping a lot on him to see how he adjusts. He's adjusting well."
Staley added that they are "looking at everything right now" in regard to Sampson and how they will define what his role will be in the run game.
"When you start to put him out there and give him more reps in those situations – no matter if it's third down, no matter if it's first or second down – being able to see him more is definitely a blessing for him," Staley said. "For us, I think that going forward, we'll continue to give him the ball because he was a hell of a runner in college."
When the Browns take the field for the first preseason game, Sampson will get his first taste of NFL game action, which will provide necessary reps against an opposing defense in a live game setting.
Who are the two players you're most excited for? – Jact S., Wooster, Ohio
This was hard to pick just two guys! A number of young players have stood out during training camp, but I'll pick one offensive player and one defensive player.
Offensively, WR Gage Larvadain has found a way to take full advantage of his reps. He's caught a handful of touchdown passes in team drills, one from QB Dillon Gabriel on the first day of camp and another on Day 7 of camp. He also connected with QB Joe Flacco during a red zone drill in the back of the end zone. No matter which grouping he has taken reps with, he has been running his routes well and finding space to be open for the quarterback to make a play.
"He's a very smart kid, so we can line him up all over," Stefanski said. "In football, when you can catch the rock and make somebody miss, those are things that get noticed. So, he's been where he's supposed to be, which is a big part of being a rookie and understanding your role. But he's also made plays with the ball, so he's done a nice job."
Defensively, Schwesinger has stood out in camp. As a rookie, not only has he been learning the defensive scheme, but he's made his presence known at the linebacker position. When the Browns put pads on and were able to simulate tackling, Schwesinger went out and performed, making plays during team drills.
Not only have teammates highlighted what Schwesinger has been able to do in camp, but also defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has recognized that Schwesinger has already stepped into a larger role with the retirement of Hicks.
"Everything we've asked from him, not only has he been able to do, but he's done a better job than what we expected," Schwartz said. "He's got great size, he's got great quickness, he's got great speed, he's got great instincts, and he's made just as many mistakes as any other rookie, but he has not made any big mistakes. I think you guys have seen some of the physicality that he's brought to our practices. His communication is much improved. 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. He's a rookie. He's got to command the huddle. He's got to make calls and do a lot more things like that, and he's excelled in all those things."
