Mike Rutenberg Poised to Join Browns as Defensive Coordinator, Leaves Falcons with a Key Vacancy
The Cleveland Browns are closing in on their new defensive coordinator, and it looks like they’ve zeroed in on Atlanta Falcons defensive pass game coordinator Mike Rutenberg. After a weekend of in-person interviews and a tight race between three finalists, Rutenberg appears to be the choice to lead the Browns' defense into a new era under head coach Todd Monken.
Rutenberg wasn’t the only name in the mix. Longtime Browns linebackers coach Jason Tarver and Houston Texans defensive pass game coordinator Cory Undlin were also in serious consideration.
In fact, Undlin was widely believed to be the frontrunner heading into the final stretch. But Rutenberg’s interview clearly made a strong impression on Monken and the Browns brass, enough to push him ahead of two experienced defensive minds with coordinator experience and ties to former DC Jim Schwartz.
The Browns didn’t waste time in this search. With Schwartz stepping away-reportedly feeling slighted after being passed over for the head coaching job-the team moved quickly to identify and evaluate candidates. Schwartz, a respected defensive architect, opted not to return under Monken and is expected to sit out the 2026 season while eyeing a potential return to the sidelines in 2027.
That decision opened the door for fresh leadership on the defensive side of the ball, and Rutenberg’s rise is a compelling one. Just weeks ago, he was in the running for the Tennessee Titans’ DC job before Robert Saleh ultimately went with Gus Bradley.
Many expected Rutenberg to remain in Atlanta for another season, especially after the Falcons lost Jerry Gray from their defensive staff. But when Cleveland came calling, the opportunity was too significant to pass up.
And it’s not hard to see why. The Browns offer a loaded defensive roster, headlined by none other than reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.
That kind of talent up front can make any coordinator’s life easier. Add in a group of young, ascending cornerbacks, and Rutenberg will have the tools to build something special.
His background in secondary play should serve him well in maximizing that unit’s potential.
The ripple effects of this move are already being felt in Atlanta. Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, a longtime colleague and close friend of Rutenberg from their time together in both New York and Atlanta, was open about wanting to keep him on staff. But Ulbrich also acknowledged that this opportunity might be the right move for Rutenberg’s career-and it’s hard to argue with that.
Rutenberg’s departure leaves a notable hole in the Falcons’ coaching staff, especially after the loss of Gray. He was instrumental in developing Atlanta’s secondary, and his impact was clear throughout the season. The logical internal move for Atlanta would be to promote cornerbacks coach Justin Hood to fill Rutenberg’s role, keeping some continuity in a room that’s already undergone change.
As for the Browns, they’re betting on a fresh voice and a rising defensive mind to guide a unit with championship-level talent. If Rutenberg can translate his success with secondaries into a full-scale defensive scheme, Cleveland’s defense might not just stay elite-they could take another step forward.