Browns Hire Rutenberg as Defensive Coordinator, Raising Concerns Over Monken's Control

Front office tension already brewing in Cleveland as new head coach Todd Monken's autonomy appears limited in building his staff.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The Cleveland Browns have hired Mike Rutenberg as their new defensive coordinator, but the lengthy hiring process and Rutenberg's lack of direct coordinator experience have raised concerns that GM Andrew Berry is exerting too much control over the new coaching staff. Browns analysts suggest this could be a troubling sign that Monken may not have full autonomy to build his own team, mirroring issues that plagued previous Browns regimes.

Why it matters

The Browns are desperate for a fresh start in 2026 after years of organizational dysfunction. If Monken is not empowered to assemble his own staff and roster, it could signal a return to the same power struggles that have plagued the franchise in the past, dooming the new regime before it even begins.

The details

The hiring of Rutenberg, who has no prior NFL defensive coordinator experience, came after a drawn-out search process that Browns analyst Tony Grossi described as similar to the "same process they used to hire the head coach." This suggests GM Andrew Berry may have interfered with Monken's ability to simply "pick his guy" for the defensive coordinator role. Rutenberg's background as a pass-game specialist could fit Monken's aggressive philosophy, but the delayed hiring decision implies he may have been a compromise candidate rather than Monken's top choice.

  • The Browns hired Mike Rutenberg as their new defensive coordinator on February 16, 2026.

The players

Todd Monken

The new head coach of the Cleveland Browns, hired to lead the team's turnaround in 2026.

Andrew Berry

The general manager of the Cleveland Browns, who has been accused of exerting too much control over the coaching staff hires.

Mike Rutenberg

The Browns' new defensive coordinator, hired after a lengthy search process that has raised concerns about Monken's autonomy.

Tony Grossi

A Browns analyst who has been critical of the team's hiring process, suggesting it mirrors the dysfunction of previous regimes.

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What they’re saying

“It smells like the same process they used to hire the head coach. If that's the case, this new staff is doomed to fail.”

— Tony Grossi, Browns Analyst (ESPN Cleveland)

What’s next

The Browns will need to demonstrate that Monken has full autonomy to build his coaching staff and roster, or else concerns will only grow that the team is doomed to repeat the same mistakes of the past.

The takeaway

The Browns' hiring of Mike Rutenberg as defensive coordinator has raised red flags about whether new head coach Todd Monken will have the necessary control to assemble his own staff and roster, a critical factor in determining the success or failure of the team's 2026 season and beyond.