Mike Rutenberg believes at the heart of being a leader is ability to build relationships.
He observed the concept of leading through relationships from Jeff Ulbrich, who he coached under at the Jets from 2021-24 and again at the Falcons during the 2025 season. As he experienced the impact of creating and sustaining relationships, he embodied the same approach.
"That's been my approach to find out what's important to the players," Rutenberg said. "It just goes back to finding what's important to everybody, finding out their why, sharing my why. Maybe their why is football. Maybe their why is a hobby. Maybe their why is their family. And if we can find something to connect, it'll always come back to the heart. And we when that happens in my experiences, it's unbreakable bond. When things get hard, you thrive in those moments."
As Rutenberg learns about his defensive players on the field and builds those relationships off the field, he understands the task of continuing the success the Browns' defense has had in recent years.
Rutenberg inherited a defense that played with a prominent pass rush in a four-down attack style system, a scheme that has allowed the Browns' defense to be successful the previous three seasons.
Since 2023, the Browns rank first in total yards per game, opponent first downs allowed per game, third down percentage, fourth down percentage, total passing yards per game and first downs per pass attempt. They have the most team tackles for loss with 342 and are third in team sacks with 143. They are also tied for second with eight defensive touchdowns.
In 2025 alone, the Browns' defense ranked first in team tackles for loss and tied for first with four defensive touchdowns. They were third in sacks per pass attempt, opponent passing yards per game and team sacks. They were also fourth in total yards allowed per game and total net yards allowed.
"It's always going to be style over scheme," Rutenberg said. "No matter what, the way we play, how hard we play, playing for each other, how fast we play and how violent we play. And that's always going to be over scheme. Us going after the ball and then putting our players in the best positions to be successful, it's always going to start with the front. It forever and always will in the history of football. And we're going to continue to do that."