If NFL executives and coaches are to be believed, the Cleveland Browns have a bedrock player at middle linebacker in second-year LB Carson Schwesinger.

Schwesinger, drafted out of UCLA in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft, went on to earn Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Schwesinger tallied 156 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two interceptions in his first season. In the list compiled by ESPN, he was listed among the Top 10 “off the ball” players at his position, joining impressive company.

ESPN surveyed execs and coaches who gave their own top 10 at they ranked the list based on the following criteria: number of top 10 votes, composite average and interviews. Seventy voters participated.

Where did Browns LB Carson Schwesinger rate on the ESPN list?

Schwesinger came in at No. 3 among linebackers, as rated by league experts. That’s an impressive showing given his relative inexperience.

One league executive offered this appraisal: "He's [Luke] Kuechly reincarnated," a personnel executive with an NFL team said. "Elite speed, athleticism, instincts, ball skills."

That’s high praise given Kuechly’s stellar career that included seven Pro Bowls, five appearances on All-Pro teams, a 2013 NFL AP Defensive Player of the Year Award, being named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s All-2010s Team and eventual induction into the hall in next month in Canton.

Said another executive: "Plays fast, excellent instincts, good in coverage," a high-ranking AFC evaluator said. "Impressive for a rookie."

Who were the others in the Top 10 on ESPN’s list?

Schwesinger joins some elite company in the league. Here is the Top 10:

• Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers
• Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens
• Carson Schwesinger, Cleveland Browns
• Zack Braun, Philadelphia Eagles
• Azeez Al-Shaair, Houston Texans
• Jordyn Brooks, Miami Dolphins
• Nick Bolton, Kansas City Chiefs
• Edgerrin Cooper, Green Bay Packers
• Devin Lloyd, Carolina Panthers

George M. Thomas covers a myriad of things including sports and pop culture, but mostly sports, he thinks, for the Beacon Journal.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns' Carson Schwesinger impresses NFL executives. 'Kuechly reincarnated'

A member of the United States Men’s National Soccer Team is extending his second stint in Foxborough by at least one more season.

On Monday, July 13, the New England Revolution announced it had reached an agreement with French Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyonnais to extend its loan of goalkeeper Matt Turner through Dec. 31, 2026, with an option to extend the loan to Dec. 31, 2027. If that option is taken, an option for the Revolution to purchase the veteran shot stopper outright from Lyon at the end of 2027 will be put in place.

The 32-year-old goalkeeper, who previously played for the Revs from 2016-2022 before being sold to English Premier League side Arsenal, made his return to New England on a year-long loan from Lyon on Aug. 1, 2025. Since then, Turner has made a combined 24 appearances between last season and this season, recording 101 saves and five clean sheets, three of which have come in the current campaign.

”We are thrilled to reach an agreement with Lyon that will allow us to keep Matt Turner in New England Revolution colors for years to come,” Revs General Manager and Chief Soccer Officer Chris Tierney said in a press release posted to the team's website. “Matt’s performances on the pitch here in MLS or on the world stage with the U.S. Men’s National Team speak for themselves. We firmly believe that Matt will continue to be the gold standard for MLS goalkeepers as he builds on his already impressive legacy with the Revolution.”

Turner is coming off his second straight World Cup with the USMNT, and in total has made 55 appearances with 29 wins and 27 clean sheets for the Stars and Stripes. The primary American goalkeeper in Qatar in 2022, he largely served as backup to New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese on home soil in 2026. Turner did have one start this summer, however, playing all 90 minutes in a 3-2 Group D loss to Türkiye on June 26 at Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium).

The Park Ridge, NJ native is the Revs’ all-time win percentage leader (.581) and is second in club history in starts (126), goals against average (1.29), wins (54), saves (455) and save percentage (70.64). Turner is a TAM (Target Allocation Money) eligible player, meaning his salary charge is above the Maximum Salary Budget Charge ($803,125) and at or below the Maximum Target Allocation Money Amount ($1,803,125) per MLS rules.

The Revs (8-5-1, fourth in Eastern Conference) return to MLS action after a nearly two month break on Wednesday, July 22 at 7:30 p.m., hosting Toronto FC (3-6-5, 13th in Eastern Conference) at Gillette Stadium, which has reverted to its official name and artificial turf pitch after hosting seven World Cup matches on natural grass as Boston Stadium.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: USMNT GK Matt Turner extends loan with the New England Revolution