There's no debating that Jim Schwartz is the architect of the elite defense that the Cleveland Browns have today. Now, Mike Rutenberg, the man replacing him, is at the center of a debate.

ESPN Analysts Tony Grossi and Tony Rizzo debated whether he can be as good as Schwartz. Rizzo asked Grossi if the Rutenberg is going to run the same defense that they used to win 8 games over the last 2 years.

The tone was sarcastic, and Grossi's answer was stinging as well, "They would have won zero games the last two years without Schwartz," he said. The debate heated up between the two before Rizzo lost it and said:

"You act like Jim Schwartz is the only guy in the world that could coach Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward, Carson Schwesinger, Grant Delpit, give me a break, Tony...He's a good guy, he's a good coach. We're not gonna go to hell...just because Jim Schwartz isn't here anymore."

All four players Rizzo named were drafted by the Browns [Garrett (2017), Ward (2018), Schwesinger (2025), Delpit (2020)], but they have played under different defensive coordinators over the years, except for Schwesinger, who is a rookie.

Gregg Williams was the defensive coordinator of the Browns from 2017-2108. Then Steve Wilks took his place, but he only lasted a season. After Wilks, Joe Woods tried to lead the Browns' defense. However, the team released after a lackluster defensive show in 2022.

Under Jim Schwartz, Myles Garrett won two DPOY awards. Schwesinger won the DROY under Schwartz. Meanwhile, the Browns went 28+ consecutive games without allowing any opposing QB to throw for 300+ yards, the longest active streak in the NFL at one point under Schwartz.

Yet, the bigger question for every fan of the Cleveland Browns is whether Mike Rutenberg be able to replicate that success?

Mike Rutenberg Has the Numbers to Run the Defense Jim Schwartz Built, But No Experience

Todd Monken has said that he doesn’t plan to change Schwartz’s successful defensive scheme much. This will be great because it gives Rutenberg a running start rather than having to reinvent everything.

Rutenberg was the pass game coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons before joining the Browns. In 2025, the Falcons' defense ranked 14th in EPA per pass (-0.08) and 13th in passing yards allowed. Before this, he was also the linebackers coach for the New York Jets (2021-24).

During his time there, the Jets had the only defense in the league to rank in the top five of total defense in each of the three seasons (2022-24). They finished fourth in 2022 and third in both 2023 and 2024.

He still doesn't have any experience as a defensive coordinator. So the question remains, whether he will be able to replicate the success Jim Schwartz had with this defense? Only time can tell.

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Written by

Reyansh Dubey

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi