In the NFL, coaching moves are rarely just about Xs and Os-they’re often about trust, familiarity, and relationships built over years in the league. That dynamic is playing out once again this offseason, as new Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken begins assembling his staff. And just like we’ve seen time and again, coaches tend to lean on those they know.
Monken, who’s stepping into the big chair in Cleveland, has already tapped into his Baltimore Ravens connections on the offensive side. But now, with a major vacancy at defensive coordinator following Jim Schwartz’s departure, Monken may be eyeing a familiar face from a different direction-Atlanta Falcons linebackers coach Mike Rutenberg.
Here’s where it gets interesting: Rutenberg is currently on the staff of former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, who’s now running the show in Atlanta. When Stefanski took over the Falcons, he chose to keep defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich and much of his defensive staff intact, including Rutenberg. So while Monken is building his future in Cleveland, Stefanski is quietly reuniting with his past in Atlanta.
Rutenberg brings a deep and varied résumé to the table. He joined the Falcons last season after a four-year run with the New York Jets, where he coached linebackers under Robert Saleh.
Before that, he spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars-seven seasons, to be exact-followed by a year with the San Francisco 49ers. His NFL journey began with a stint under Hall of Famer Joe Gibbs in Washington.
But Rutenberg’s coaching roots go even deeper. Before breaking into the NFL, he spent seven years at the college level, including stops at UCLA, New Mexico State, and the University of San Diego.
That San Diego gig? It’s the only time he’s held a coordinator title.
So what does this mean for Cleveland? If Monken does make a move for Rutenberg, it wouldn’t be surprising.
The Browns are in need of a defensive leader who can command a room and connect with players-someone who’s been around the league, understands different systems, and has proven he can adapt. Rutenberg checks those boxes.
And from a broader perspective, this is just another example of the coaching carousel spinning in familiar circles. Relationships matter.
Trust matters. And in a league where continuity is hard to come by, coaches often find comfort in bringing in guys they’ve either worked with before-or who come highly recommended by people they trust.
Nothing’s official yet, but keep an eye on this one. The Browns are retooling, and if Rutenberg ends up in Cleveland, it’ll be another piece of a puzzle that’s being assembled with both strategy and familiarity in mind.