The Cleveland Browns have a new defensive coordinator.
Unfortunately, while most Browns fans agreed changes needed to be made on the coaching staff, those same fans, by and large, preferred the previous occupant of that office, Jim Schwartz. Schwartz was the architect of one of the league’s best defensive units in his three years as coordinator. Schwartz brought out the best in the team’s talent, taking it to a new level. All-World edge rusher Myles Garrett was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year twice under Schwartz, taking home the league’s season sack record in 2025. Rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger was the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year last season. Cornerback Denzel Ward made the Pro Bowl in each of Schwartz’s three years.
Schwartz was a finalist for the Browns’ head coaching job, which ultimately went to Todd Monken three weeks ago. He was “visibly upset” upon hearing he was passed over, and the relationship between Schwartz and the Browns proved to be irreparable. He ultimately resigned, choosing unemployment over returning to Cleveland, as he remains under contract with the team.
The new defensive boss is Mike Rutenberg. His hire is a bit of a let-down for Cleveland fans, though that hardly has anything to do with him – Schwartz’s shoes would be hard to fill by anyone. It’ll be all the harder for Rutenberg, who has never called defensive plays at any level in his career. His most recent post was as the pass game coordinator (yes, that position exists on defensive staffs, Twitter) for the Atlanta Falcons last season. He held a similar post for the San Francisco 49ers in 2020. His position coaching is largely rooted in linebackers, and a little in the secondary.
Both owner Jimmy Haslam and Monken emphasized keeping the scheme in place. That much seems to be happening. Rutenberg comes from the Robert Saleh school of defense, and Saleh’s system is similar to Schwartz’s. Last season, he worked under Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich, who runs more of a wide-nine scheme. Both Saleh and Ulbrich sing Rutenberg’s praises.
“He does an amazing job,” Ulbrich said. “He’s one of the best teachers in this game. He understands the back end at a Ph.D.-plus level. He’s a huge part of our success back there. Whether he gets a coordinator job this year or next, it’s coming. He’s just too good of a coach. He’s got a bright future.”
Per Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com, Rutenberg is expected to retain the Browns’ defensive assistants. That includes safeties coach Ephraim Banda and Jason Tarver, both of whom interviewed for the job themselves. Banda, in particular, is seen as a rising star in the league, and interviewed for the DC jobs with the Jets and Cowboys as well.
Given the uniqueness of the Schwartz aggressive system in today’s NFL, the more consistency, the better. Rutenberg also fits a similar mold to other Browns hires from the last few years, in that he is an Ivy League graduate with a background steeped in analytics. Rumors have persisted that Haslam has interfered in Monken’s hiring process. While there is no proof to that, it is interesting that Rutenberg seems to come from that similar mold, while also keeping all of the existing position coaches. That merits some focus as the offseason progresses: If Monken isn’t making his own decisions when it comes to his coaching staff, that doesn’t bode well.
Beyond that, Rutenberg will have his work cut out for him. Cleveland’s defensive stars, including Garrett, Ward, and safety Grant Delpit, actively campaigned for Schwartz to remain. Garrett made a post to Instagram following Schwartz’s departure, showing his disappointment. If Rutenberg’s reputation as a teacher is deserved, it seems likely that he can bring his defensive stars around.
Rutenberg will also have to repair one glaring problem with Schwartz’s defense: Free safety. The defense is loaded with stars at nearly every position. However, a Schwartz defense runs a lot of one-high safety looks with a high percentage of man-to-man coverage and a heavy pass rush. That generally requires a stud free safety to can cover a huge area in the center field of the secondary.
Cleveland currently has Ronnie Hickman in that role. Hickman just completed his third year after joining the team in 2023 as an undrafted free agent. Hickman has done a great job, but doesn’t have the physical tools the position requires. He fits better as a nickel safety or as the primary reserve for strong safety Grant Delpit, who plays in a shorter field close to the line of scrimmage.
At present, the team doesn’t have any internal options who have played the role. However, cornerback Martin Emerson is returning from a torn Achilles tendon in his left leg. Emerson has been a shade slow as a man corner in the Schwartz scheme, but could thrive as a free safety.
Another option could be Caleb Downs, late of Ohio State University. Downs could well be the best player in the 2026 Draft, and is currently expected to be available when the Browns pick at No. 6 overall. But given the Browns’ massive offensive needs, Downs may be a luxury the team can’t afford. The team may, in fact, replace all of its starting offensive linemen. Cleveland is also in need of a No. 1 wide receiver who can best Jerry Jeudy and his penchant for dropping the ball in tough situations.
Short of Emerson successfully returning from his significant injury or Cleveland passing on a bigger need (and that the team can’t find a bargain at the position), the scheme will need to be adjusted.
Is Rutenberg up to the task? His resume does lend itself to providing some unique looks from the secondary. While still aggressive, he is expected to bring blitzes from multiple directions while disguising coverages in different ways. Will the additional trickery be enough to fill the gap? Or will Rutenberg’s system be too clever, much like Kevin Stefanski’s offense the last several years?
Cleveland is the only team in the NFL that has allowed less than 300 yards per game in the last three years. They also have ranked first in first downs allowed per game, third and fourth down conversion percentage, passing yards allowed, and tackles for a loss. They have also won just eight games in that period. While the Browns rebuild their offense nearly from scratch, if that win total is to be improved in 2026, the defense can’t afford to take even a half-step back.
The Browns are asking a lot of Rutenberg, perhaps even more than their head coach.
