According to a report from Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Cleveland Browns will hire Mike Rutenberg to be their defensive coordinator. The decision coming from Todd Monken, Rutenberg has operated as the defensive pass game coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons this past season.
The Browns are hiring Mike Rutenberg as defensive coordinator, per source.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 16, 2026
Rutenberg has worked under now Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. Rutenberg was with Ulbrich when Ulbrich served as the defensive coordinator of the New York Jets, then followed him to Atlanta where he became the defensive pass game coordinator.
Rutenberg, 44, has largely coached the back end of the defense. He has experience both with defensive backs and linebackers. With the Jets, Rutenberg was the linebackers coach for four seasons when the unit had a good deal of success. C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams were standouts in the middle of that defense.
The Falcons enjoyed a resurgence on the defensive side of the ball this past season. They made investments up front, adding a pair of pass rushers in the first round of the NFL Draft, which only enhanced what had been a talented secondary. Safety Jessie Bates III was an All-Pro for the Falcons this past season.
Now, Rutenberg will take the lead of the Browns defense under Monken. He replaces Jim Schwartz, who opted to resign last week when he was passed over for the head coaching job.
Among the candidates for the defensive coordinator job, there were two internal candidates: Jason Tarver, the linebackers coach and Ephraim Banda, the safeties coach. The question that will soon be answered is whether the assistants that were formerly under Schwartz will remain in their respective capacities. First, do they want to stay, including those that were passed over for the job. Then, does Rutenberg want them to stay.
Given the relative lateness in the hiring cycle and the fact the Browns plan to run the same defensive system, there is reason to believe that they could keep some, if not all of their current assistants. Though much like with Schwartz, that is subject to change.
The other element that is changing is where the focus is coming from the defensive coordinator. Schwarz is an accomplished coordinator who knows exactly what he wants from every position group. Nevertheless, he has always been at home with the defensive line. The Browns have spent a ton of resources building up the front and that unit has excelled.
When the Browns have had issues, the majority of them tend to come from the secondary. Rutenberg could perhaps offer some ideas or perhaps simply put more emphasis on that group in order to try to get better results.
The Browns had one of the best defenses in the league in 2025. They are returning at least ten starters, assuming they re-sign restricted free agent Ronnie Hickman. Expectations are high, so all eyes will be on Rutenberg to see if he can maintain the standard the Browns have had on that side of the ball.