Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken is bringing in Mike Rutenberg as his defensive coordinator.
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Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken is bringing in Mike Rutenberg as his defensive coordinator.
The Cleveland Browns have found their replacement for Jim Schwartz, hiring Mike Rutenberg as their next defensive coordinator.
Rutenberg most recently served as the Atlanta Falcons defensive pass game coordinator. It’s notable that he’s poached from a staff now led by former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski.
“The Browns are hiring Mike Rutenberg as their defensive coordinator, sources tell The Insiders,” Tom Pelissero of NFL Network said. “A high-energy assistant, Rutenberg has trained under Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich and most recently was the Falcons’ defensive pass game coordinator.”
Rutenberg brings more than 15 years of NFL experience, having worked in multiple defensive roles across the league. He served as the linebackers coach for the New York Jets from 2021-24 under head coach Robert Saleh. His resume also includes defensive stops with the San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Washington Commanders, giving him a well-rounded background at the NFL level.
Texans passing game coordinator Cory Undlin and current Browns linebackers coach Jason Tarver were the other finalists.
Browns Plan to Keep Defensive System in Place
The Browns will not be asking Rutenberg to build the unit from the ground up. He’ll simply have to keep a good thing going. New head coach Todd Monken has stressed that he’d like to keep the same system to keep the Browns’ formidable defense humming.
“It’s a little unique here because we would like to keep the same system and the same style because I do believe our players are going to believe in the system first before the actual coordinator,” Monken said during the defensive coordinator search. “I think there is going to be a belief system and an attacking style defense. So, finding the right fit from an adaptability standpoint, but understanding what our players do best and how the roster has been built that way.
“You can’t change the whole roster. You can change out pieces and try to get better in spots, but you certainly have to find the person that embodies what you want, in terms of inspiring our players to continue playing at the high level they played at. And yet, able to put their own spin on it. Certainly, like every year, every year you’re going to adapt and evolve.”
Todd Monken Credited Browns Players Over Jim Schwartz
The Browns boasted one of the top defenses in the NFL last season despite their 5-12 record. Cleveland allowed just 283.6 yards and 22.3 points per game. Schwartz was the architect of that defense, serving in that role for the last three seasons.
Monken had experience facing the Browns defense twice a year in his previous role as the Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator. He credited the players — like Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward — over Schwartz for the output.
“When I was preparing for the Cleveland Browns, I wasn’t trying to chip Jim Schwartz. I was chipping Myles Garrett,” Monken said. “When I was sliding the protection to the outside ‘backers or Grant Delpit blitzing off the edge, I was sliding the protection to the players. And when I was worried about throwing to the right against Denzel Ward or Tyson Campbell to the left, that’s who I was worried about throwing at.”
With one of his most significant hires now in place, Monken and the Browns can turn their attention toward the next phase of the offseason — evaluating the roster, preparing for free agency, and laying the groundwork for the draft.