Defensive Veterans Mentor Youth on the Cleveland Browns

On the Cleveland Browns’ defensive unit, a quiet but powerful tradition has taken root: veteran players stepping into mentorship roles to guide the team’s young talent. This dynamic isn’t just about teaching X’s and O’s—it’s about passing down the grit, discipline, and football IQ needed to thrive in the NFL, especially in the tough AFC North division. From seasoned defensive linemen to veteran linebackers and secondary leaders, these mentors have become the backbone of the Browns’ defensive growth, helping rookies and second-year players adjust to the league’s speed and physicality. Their work has paid off: the Browns’ defense, which blends veteran savvy with young athleticism, has climbed to the top 10 in the NFL in sacks and run defense this season. Defensive Veterans Mentor Youth on the Cleveland Browns explores the key veteran mentors, their mentorship methods, standout young players benefiting from guidance, the impact on team chemistry, and how this culture of mentorship shapes the franchise’s future.

Defensive Veterans Mentor Youth on the Cleveland Browns opens with the core group of veteran mentors driving this culture. Leading the charge is defensive end Myles Garrett, a seven-year Brown and four-time Pro Bowler who has emerged as a vocal leader for young linemen. Alongside him is defensive tackle Shelby Harris, a 10-year NFL vet who signed with Cleveland in 2024 and quickly took rookies under his wing. Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr., entering his eighth season, focuses on guiding the team’s young linebackers, while safety Rodney McLeod—with 12 years of experience—leads the secondary’s mentorship efforts. These veterans weren’t assigned mentorship roles; they embraced them voluntarily, recognizing that their success is tied to the team’s overall growth. “When I was a rookie, I had veterans who helped me,” Garrett said in a recent interview. “Now it’s my turn to pay that forward. This game is easier when you have someone who’s been through it all showing you the way.” Their commitment has turned the Browns’ defensive meetings and practices into informal classrooms, where young players absorb lessons that go beyond playbooks.

Defensive Veterans Mentor Youth on the Cleveland Browns delves into the hands-on methods these veterans use to mentor. On the practice field, Garrett often pulls rookie defensive end Isaiah McGuire aside after drills to break down film clips of their reps, pointing out how to adjust his stance to beat offensive tackles or time his pass rush. Harris, meanwhile, focuses on the mental side of the game: he meets with second-year defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey before each game to review opponents’ blocking schemes, sharing tips on how to read offensive linemen’s body language to anticipate plays. Off the field, the mentorship continues: Walker hosts weekly dinners with young linebackers like fourth-round pick Tommy Togiai, where they discuss everything from game preparation to handling the pressures of NFL life. McLeod even pairs rookies with local community leaders, teaching them the importance of giving back to Cleveland—a lesson he learned early in his career. “Mentorship isn’t just about football,” Harris said. “It’s about helping these guys become professionals, on and off the field. That’s how you build a winning culture.”

Defensive Veterans Mentor Youth on the Cleveland Browns covers the young players who have flourished under this guidance—and the impact they’ve had on the team. McGuire, a fifth-round pick in 2024, has already recorded 3 sacks and 5 tackles for loss, thanks in large part to Garrett’s tutoring. After a slow start to his rookie season, Winfrey has become a reliable rotational lineman, with Harris’ help refining his gap discipline. Togiai, meanwhile, has earned more playing time in recent weeks, using Walker’s advice on pre-snap reads to make key stops against the run. Even rookies in the secondary have benefited: cornerback Cameron Mitchell, a seventh-round pick, credits McLeod with helping him adjust to the NFL’s speed, saying, “Rodney shows me little things—like how to use my hands to disrupt receivers without getting called for penalties—that you don’t learn in college.” For the Cleveland Browns, these young players’ growth isn’t just a nice story—it’s a competitive advantage. By developing talent from within, the Browns have built depth that’s helped them weather injuries (like Maliek Collins’ season-ending tear) and stay in the playoff hunt.

Another layer of Defensive Veterans Mentor Youth on the Cleveland Browns is the positive effect this mentorship has had on team chemistry. Unlike some NFL locker rooms, where veterans and young players can be divided, the Browns’ defense has a family-like atmosphere. Rookies and veterans joke together in the locker room, work out together in the offseason, and even attend community events as a group. This camaraderie translates to the field: the defense communicates better, trusts each other more, and plays with a unity that’s hard to replicate. “When you know the guy next to you has your back—on and off the field—you play with more confidence,” Winfrey said. Coaches have noticed the difference too: defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz noted that the defense has fewer communication errors this season, a direct result of veterans teaching young players how to call plays and adjust on the fly. For the Cleveland Browns, strong team chemistry isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a key reason the defense has been able to shut down top offenses like the San Francisco 49ers earlier this season.

Defensive Veterans Mentor Youth on the Cleveland Browns explores how this culture of mentorship is becoming a defining part of the Browns’ identity—and how it will shape the franchise’s future. Unlike other teams that rely on free agency to fill gaps, the Browns are building a sustainable model: drafting young talent, pairing them with veteran mentors, and developing them into long-term contributors. This approach not only saves money but also ensures that players buy into the team’s culture and values. Garrett, who has spoken publicly about wanting to retire with the Browns, hopes to see the mentorship tradition continue for years to come. “I want this to be a place where young players want to come because they know they’ll get better—both as players and people,” he said. The Browns’ front office has also embraced this model, drafting players with strong work ethics who are eager to learn, knowing that veterans will help them reach their potential. For the Cleveland Browns, this focus on mentorship is more than a short-term strategy—it’s an investment in the team’s future, one that could lead to sustained success in the tough AFC North.

Defensive Veterans Mentor Youth on the Cleveland Browns closes with the broader lesson of this mentorship culture: in the NFL, success isn’t just about talent—it’s about passing down knowledge. The Browns’ defensive veterans understand that their legacy won’t just be defined by their stats or Pro Bowl nods, but by the young players they help develop. For the rookies and second-year players, the mentorship they’re receiving now will shape their careers long after their mentors retire. And for the Cleveland Browns, this tradition of guidance is a reminder that football is a team sport—one where everyone, from the longest-tenured veteran to the newest rookie, has a role to play in building something great. “This is what winning teams do,” Schwartz said. “They don’t just collect talent—they (develop) it. And that’s exactly what our veterans are doing.” As the Browns continue their playoff push, the impact of this mentorship will be on full display—proof that when veterans lead and young players learn, anything is possible.