Todd Monken Makes 'Important' Decision as Browns' Search Comes to an End

So, following two flop seasons in a row, the organization dismissed head coach Kevin Stefanski on Jan. 5 and subsequently hired Todd Monken as his successor to lead the team into the 2026 season.

When Todd Monken took over as head coach, he was responsible for hiring new coordinators. He first brought in Travis Switzer as offensive coordinator and Byron Storer to run special teams. He has now filled all three coordinator positions by bringing in a new defensive coach as well. 

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Browns are hiring the Atlanta Falcons ' defensive passing game coordinator Mike Rutenberg to be their next defensive coordinator. Insider Adam Schefter called it "An important Browns' hire" on social media.

Rutenberg will replace former Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who resigned after getting passed over for the head coaching job in favor of Monken. He was under contract through 2026 but chose to step away and is expected to sit out the upcoming season.

Rutenberg, however, brings 15 years of NFL coaching experience to Cleveland. He worked with the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2013 to 2019, served as a pass-game specialist for the San Francisco 49ers in 2020, coached linebackers for the New York Jets from 2021 to 2024, and spent the 2025 season with Atlanta.

Rutenberg inherits a defense that has ranked among the league’s best under Schwartz. In 2025, the Browns finished fourth in total defense, allowing 283.6 yards per game. Over the past three seasons, Cleveland has given up the fewest yards in the NFL.

The group is led by two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, five-time Pro Bowler Denzel Ward, and Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger. 

It comes at the right time as Rutenberg and the other new staffing additions have a short work window to get together and discuss plans for the 2026 season, just ahead of the NFL Combine, which takes place Feb. 23 to March 2.