Browns Boast Pro Bowl Talent - But Carson Schwesinger’s Snub Raises Eyebrows
The 2025 Pro Bowl Games will feature 19 first-time selections - but if you ask anyone in Cleveland, that number should’ve been 20. And honestly, they’ve got a point.
The Browns landed multiple players on this year’s AFC roster, headlined by two defensive cornerstones. Myles Garrett continues to build on his legacy, earning his seventh Pro Bowl nod in just nine seasons.
That’s not just impressive - it’s historic. Garrett now holds the franchise record for most Pro Bowl selections by a defensive player and is tied for fourth-most overall in Browns history.
He’s been a dominant force all year, and his selection was never in doubt.
Joining him is cornerback Denzel Ward, who despite missing the last two games with a calf injury, was named to his fifth career Pro Bowl. Ward’s ball skills, footwork, and ability to lock down top receivers have once again earned him the respect of players, coaches, and fans alike.
But while Garrett and Ward are headed to San Francisco, the bigger story might be who isn’t going - particularly standout rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger.
Carson Schwesinger: The Rookie Making Veteran-Level Impact
Let’s be clear: Schwesinger not making the initial Pro Bowl roster is a head-scratcher. The Browns rookie has been one of the most productive linebackers in the league - not just among rookies, but across the board. He’s listed as an alternate, which means there’s still a chance he gets the call, but based on the numbers and the tape, he should’ve been a lock.
Heading into Week 17, Schwesinger ranks third among AFC inside linebackers in total tackles (147), second in tackles for loss (11), third in sacks (2.5), third in interceptions (2), and fourth in overall Pro Football Focus grade (76.5). That’s not just solid - that’s elite production.
And it’s not like he padded those stats early and faded. Quite the opposite.
During the heart of Pro Bowl voting season, Schwesinger has been on an absolute tear. Over the Browns’ last seven games, he’s posted 83 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and seven tackles for loss - hitting double-digit tackles in every single game during that stretch.
That’s the kind of consistency and impact that Pro Bowl selections are supposed to reward.
The Competition: Roquan Smith and Azeez Al-Shaair
Schwesinger was ultimately edged out by Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith, who earned his fourth Pro Bowl nod, and Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, a first-time selection. Smith’s resume speaks for itself - he’s a proven leader and playmaker. But Al-Shaair’s inclusion is where things get murky.
Al-Shaair enters Week 17 with 96 total tackles, zero sacks, and just one tackle for loss. He’s been solid in coverage, with eight pass breakups, but when stacked against Schwesinger’s all-around production, it’s a tough sell.
Schwesinger has been more disruptive, more consistent, and more versatile. And yet, it’s Al-Shaair who gets the nod.
So what gives? The answer might lie in the standings.
Houston sits at 10-5, squarely in the playoff hunt. Cleveland, meanwhile, is 3-12 and playing out the string.
Team success has always been a factor in Pro Bowl voting - rightly or wrongly - and this year is no different. It’s the classic case of individual excellence being overshadowed by team struggles.
Other Browns Alternates Deserving a Look
Schwesinger isn’t the only Browns rookie who can feel a little snubbed. Tight end Harold Fannin, another alternate, has had a breakout season of his own.
But in a crowded AFC tight end field, he lost out to household names like Travis Kelce and exciting rookie Brock Bowers. It’s tough to crack that lineup, especially when your team isn’t winning games.
Cleveland also had two more alternates: special teamer Grant Delpit and rookie running back Quinshon Judkins. Delpit’s versatility and impact on special teams earned him recognition, while Judkins, who’s currently sidelined with leg and ankle injuries, was still productive enough to get noticed.
Looking Ahead
There’s no doubt that Schwesinger and Fannin have laid the foundation for bright futures. They’ve proven they belong - not just in Cleveland’s long-term plans, but among the league’s best at their positions. But as long as the Browns are stuck near the bottom of the standings, their young stars may continue to be overlooked when it comes to league-wide honors.
Winning changes everything. And if the Browns can turn the corner in 2026, don’t be surprised if Schwesinger and company aren’t just alternates - they’re headliners.