Browns tab Mike Rutenberg to replace Jim Schwartz as defensive coordinator

Cleveland is hiring Atlanta Falcons defensive pass game coordinator Mike Rutenberg as its new defensive coordinator, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo reported Monday.

The vacancy was created after the Browns hired Todd Monken as head coach. Schwartz—who had been Cleveland’s defensive play-caller for three seasons—ultimately resigned following Monken’s arrival after being passed over for the top job.

Rutenberg now steps into his first NFL defensive coordinator role at age 44.

Rutenberg’s coaching resume spans multiple stops across the league. He broke into the NFL with Jacksonville in 2013 as an assistant defensive backs coach and remained with the Jaguars through 2019 in a variety of defensive support roles. He then served as a passing game specialist with San Francisco in 2020 before spending 2021–24 as the New York Jets’ linebackers coach.

Most recently, he was part of Atlanta’s defensive staff and helped guide a pass defense that impressed early in the 2025 season. The Falcons went eight games before allowing a 200-yard passer and delivered a standout performance in a prime-time Week 6 upset of Buffalo that included frustrating quarterback Josh Allen. While Atlanta’s defense slipped as the season progressed, it still finished 13th in passing yards allowed.

Rutenberg inherits an even stronger foundation in Cleveland. The Browns ranked third in passing yards allowed and boast elite talent at every level—headlined by Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, who set the single-season sack record, plus Defensive Rookie of the Year linebacker Carson Schwesinger. In the secondary, five-time Pro Bowl corner Denzel Ward anchors the group.

Monken has indicated he wants the defense to maintain a schematic approach similar to what Schwartz ran, leaning on the roster’s playmakers. Now it’s Rutenberg’s job to implement that vision—and keep Cleveland’s defense among the league’s most feared units.