The Cleveland Browns are entrusting Mike Rutenberg with a huge responsibility. The Browns' defense ranked fourth overall last season. Now, Rutenberg must prove they can thrive without DE Myles Garrett and former DC Jim Schwartz.

“Rutenberg will breathe schematic freshness into Cleveland without sacrificing the identity of what has been a phenomenal unit in the past few years,” ESPN’s Ben Solak wrote. “And with the Garrett trade, that schematic freshness might suddenly become more necessary.”

After nine years, no title and one trade request from Myles Garrett, the Browns let him go in June this year. In the end, the defensive end’s exit was not a surprise. If anything, it appears to be a fresh start for the Browns. 

Solak opined that the partnership between Garrett and former defensive coach Jim Schwartz was successful but predictable. He argues that opponents could guess what the secondary’s game plan would be, but couldn’t overcome the 271 lbs, 6’3 Garrett. 

“The Browns’ secondary is built to play single high, as Schwartz (often to his detriment) committed to playing with an extra body in the box,” he wrote on June 26. “Schwartz’s coverage approach has long been predictable, and predictable is exploitable even when Garrett is breathing down your neck.”

The reigning two-time defensive player of the year, who requested a trade in 2025, was playing the outdated game style with Schwartz. With a new defensive coordinator and defensive end, the Browns have an opportunity to bring in necessary changes. 

“Schwartz would have had to change even his near-permanent stripes — with Rutenberg, the Browns have a better chance to make that change quickly and effectively,” Solak argued.

So, what does the Browns’ defense look like so far?

Mike Rutenberg has a capable defensive unit on his hands

While Myles Garrett has gone to the Los Angeles Rams, the Browns have other players who are no less. Jared Verse, his replacement, was the 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year, and Carson Schwesinger is the reigning. 

Apart from them, he has safeties Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Grant Delpit, and Ronnie Hickman. 

“While defenses are often built from the front back, it’s Rutenberg’s coverage background that might make him the ideal successor to Schwartz,” Ben Solak noted in an article about ten coordinators with high stakes.

Rutenberg has experience from the Jacksonville Jaguars, the San Francisco 49ers, and the New York Jets. For his first change as a defensive coordinator, he has inherited one of the highest-ranking defenses in the league. 

Last season, they ranked fourth in overall defense with 283.6 yards per game and third in passing defense with 167.2 yards per game. Will the Browns maintain their status as an elite defense or crumble without Myles Garrett and Jim Schwartz?

How will the Browns fare this season? What are your thoughts?

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar