Overview
- Rutenberg steps into his first NFL play-calling role with strong endorsements from mentors Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich, who called him a “PhD‑level” teacher on the back end.
- Todd Monken’s 2026 staff is set, with Travis Switzer as offensive coordinator, George Warhop coaching the offensive line, Byron Storer leading special teams, and Duce Staley retained at running backs.
- Cleveland is keeping its defensive assistants in place for a smoother transition, with Rutenberg inheriting the established position-coach group that helped power an elite unit.
- Local voices, including analyst Tony Grossi, questioned whether GM Andrew Berry steered the prolonged search, raising concerns about how much control Monken had over the hire.
- A key early task is earning buy-in from veteran defenders—especially two-time DPOY Myles Garrett—while the move has also prompted speculative chatter about possible Jets-related roster moves.