Joe Schobert is the Browns’ most prominent pending free agent. Based on how he’s played the last two weeks, the price tag is only rising for Cleveland’s top linebacker.
Schobert picked off two passes against the Miami Dolphins in the Browns’ 41-24 romp. It was the second game in a row where No. 53 secured two INTs, both convincing victories.
Schobert was the best player on the field against Pittsburgh in Week 11. Not only that, he was the best defensive player on any field in the NFL that week, according to Pro Football Focus grading. He followed that up with another impressive outing against the Dolphins, with five tackles and the two INTs among his four total passes defended.
His impact in the passing game from the linebacker position is exceedingly rare. How rare, you ask?
With two interceptions against Miami, @Browns LB Joe Schobert (@TheSchoGoesOn53) became the fourth linebacker with multiple interceptions in consecutive games in the Super Bowl era. #NFL100 #MIAvsCLE pic.twitter.com/t2Wrm1kHU5
— NFL345 (@NFL345) November 24, 2019
He did it against Miami with the line in front of him decimated, missing three starters due to a combination of injury and suspension. For most of the Dolphins game, he played with multiple rookies around him.
The Browns recently paid center JC Tretter with a nice contract extension. Tretter was deserving and happy to remain in Cleveland. Now it’s time for GM John Dorsey to do the same with Schobert while the price tag is still affordable. If he keeps playing the way he has the past few weeks, other teams will be chomping at the bit to give Schobert whatever he wants.