Mike

Rutenberg

Rutenberg was one of three finalists for the job and now lands his first defensive coordinator role in the NFL. The longtime coach had previous stints with the 49ers (2020) and Jets (2021-2024), and helped lead a secondary that ranked 13th in passing yards allowed and 13th in net yards per attempt, while also ranking sixth in interceptions. Rutenberg will have big shoes to fill taking over for Jim Schwartz, who resigned after being passed over for the Browns’ head coaching job earlier this offseason.

The Cleveland Plain-Dealer’s Mary Kay Cabot identified Texans defensive pass game coordinator Cory Undlin and Falcons defensive pass game coordinator Mike Rutenberg as the other two finalists earlier today. Tarver has been in his current role since 2020. Cabot believes new Browns head coach Todd Monken could hire the team’s new defensive coordinator by Monday or Tuesday.

Cabot believes head coach Todd Monken “could name his (defensive coordinator) in the next day or two.” Undlin has over two decades of experience coaching in the NFL, but his lone stint as a defensive coordinator came in 2020 with the Lions. Undlin is one of at least two candidates receiving a second interview for the job, with Falcons’ LB coach Mike Rutenberg also set to meet with the team in person.

Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot notes that the Browns also interviewed Falcons defensive pass game coordinator Mike Rutenberg for the job. The Browns were initially expected to keep DC Jim Schwartz in the fold. After being passed over for their head coaching opening, Schwartz chose to resign from his position, meaning he will take the year off from coaching. Though the Browns are far from a functional franchise, the opportunity to coach Myles Garrett is one most young defensive coaches will pounce on. Undlin has been in the NFL for over two decades. He has one year of defensive coordinator experience and even coached in Cleveland for a few seasons early in his NFL days.

Rutenberg was a finalist for the Titans’ defensive coordinator job but was passed over for Gus Bradley. The 44-year-old coach joined the Falcons in 2025 after spending the previous four seasons with the Jets. Rutenberg has nearly 20 year’s worth of experience as a coach in the NFL but has never held a coordinator position.

The 49ers hired Raheem Morris as their new defensive coordinator earlier today, removing one high-profile candidate. Breer notes that either the Titans or Cardinals could hire Bradley as their next defensive coordinator, though the Cardinals’ ability to let Bradley call plays on defense gives them an “edge” over the Titans. He also notes that if the Titans miss out on Bradley, Falcons defensive pass-game coordinator Mike Rutenberg is “a name to watch.”

Rutenberg worked under new Titans boss Robert Saleh in New York as the team’s linebackers coach. He had previously worked with him in San Francisco before Saleh brought him to the Jets. The Falcons finished 13th in EPA per dropback allowed and 12th in passing yards per game allowed. The solid season in Atlanta and his ties to Saleh make Rutenberg the favorite to land Tennessee’s DC gig.