CLEVELAND — Currently in the final season on his rookie contract, Joe Schobert is slated to hit free agency for the first time in his career this offseason.
And through the first 11 games of the 2019 season, the Cleveland Browns linebacker has made quite the case of a long-term deal.
With 97 tackles, Schobert doesn't just lead the Browns in total tackles -- he has more than twice as many as anyone else on the team. And his nose for the ball has come in handy during Cleveland's current three-game winning streak, as the Wisconsin product has recorded four interceptions in the last two weeks, including two in the Browns' 41-24 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday -- an effort that led to Schobert being named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week.
Schobert's honor marks the third time this season a Browns player has been named a player of the week. Earlier this season, punter Jamie Gillan was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his effort in Cleveland's Week 2 win over the New York Jets, while running back Nick Chubb was named the conference's Offensive Player of the Week following Cleveland's Week 4 victory vs. the Baltimore Ravens.
In addition to his two interceptions and five tackles against Miami, Schobert also tallied two picks in the Browns' Week 11 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. On Sunday, Cleveland will once again face Pittsburgh in a game that could have strong implications for the AFC Wild Card race.