Mike Rutenberg. Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Getting to know new Browns DC Mike Rutenberg

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Feb 16, 2026 9:20 PM ET

The Cleveland Browns have found their replacement for Jim Schwartz at defensive coordinator.

Mike Rutenberg, the former defensive pass game coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons, will be the new defensive coordinator in Cleveland, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Rutenberg has a tall task ahead of him because Schwartz is known as one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL, and he had built an elite defense for Cleveland.

Schwartz wanted to be up for the head-coaching gig in Cleveland after Kevin Stefanski was fired, but the Browns instead went with Todd Monken. That led Schwartz to resign, which opened up this opportunity for Rutenberg.

Browns are hiring Falcons defensive pass game coordinator Mike Rutenberg as their defensive coordinator, per @JFowlerESPN. pic.twitter.com/p8tPqhCJUB
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 16, 2026

Who is new Cleveland Browns DC Mike Rutenberg?

Rutenberg is a 44-year-old first-time defensive coordinator who has been in coaching for over 20 years, so he's got some good experience that he's bringing to the job.

No, that job experience doesn't include calling plays, but as mentioned, he was the passing game coordinator for the Falcons last season, and he spent multiple seasons as the linebackers coach for the New York Jets before that.

From Washington D.C., Rutenberg is a Cornell graduate who started his NFL coaching journey as an intern and then an administrative assistant to Joe Gibbs in Washington.

He then spent a few seasons in the college ranks before jumping back to the NFL in 2013 as the assistant defensive backs coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Before heading to the Jets, Rutenberg was the passing game coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers in 2020.

Rutenberg has extensive experience coaching under Robert Saleh, the new head coach of the Tennessee Titans. Speaking of, he was interviewed by the Titans for their vacant defensive coordinator position under Saleh. That job went to veteran coach Gus Bradley.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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