The Cleveland Browns' search for a new defensive coordinator is entering its final phase. According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the team has narrowed its list of candidates to three finalists and is now conducting in-person interviews, with a decision potentially imminent.
The finalists are a mix of internal familiarity and external innovation: Houston Texans passing game coordinator Cory Undlin, current Browns linebackers coach Jason Tarver, and Atlanta Falcons passing game coordinator Mike Rutenberg. This trio represents the final contenders to replace the departed Jim Schwartz, whose aggressive, wide-nine scheme became the identity of one of the NFL's most formidable defenses over the past three seasons.
For Head Coach Todd Monken and General Manager Andrew Berry, this is arguably the most critical hire of the 2026 offseason. The defense, not the offense, has been the engine of the team's recent success. Maintaining that standard--or finding a way to elevate it further--is paramount as the organization continues its pursuit of a championship. Let's break down the three men vying for the job.
Jason Tarver: The In-House Continuity Candidate
If the Browns prioritize maintaining the existing culture and schematic language, Jason Tarver is the logical choice. Having served as the team's linebackers coach since 2021, Tarver has been in the building throughout the Schwartz era. He knows the personnel intimately, from the leadership of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah to the development of younger players like Mohamoud Diabate. He understands the standards set and the daily expectations within the Berea facility.
Tarver is also no stranger to the defensive coordinator role. He served as the DC for the Oakland Raiders from 2012-2014 and was the co-defensive coordinator at Stanford before that. His experience is a blend of college innovation and NFL reality. Promoting from within would signal a desire for stability, suggesting the Browns believe the foundation of the defense is sound and simply needs a steady hand to guide it, rather than a complete philosophical overhaul. The risk, of course, is whether a change in leadership voice is necessary after Schwartz's departure, or if Tarver can put his own stamp on the unit while keeping its ferocious identity intact.
Cory Undlin: The Pass Defense Specialist
Cory Undlin brings a compelling resume focused squarely on the modern NFL's biggest challenge: stopping the pass. As the passing game coordinator for the Houston Texans, he has worked under defensive mastermind DeMeco Ryans, helping craft a defense that has been disruptive and opportunistic. Undlin's path to this point is well-traveled and relevant. He was the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions in 2020 and has extensive secondary coaching experience with the Denver Broncos (2015-2019) and earlier with the Browns themselves as a defensive assistant in 2004.
His candidacy suggests the Browns are keenly aware that while their run defense and pass rush have been elite, the secondary--particularly at cornerback opposite Denzel Ward--has faced instability and injury. Undlin's expertise could be viewed as a direct move to bolster the back end. His work with the Texans, who have developed young defensive backs quickly, is a major selling point. Choosing Undlin would likely mean a schematic shift, incorporating more elements of the Ryans-style defense, which blends multiple fronts with aggressive coverage concepts.
Mike Rutenberg: The Rising Schematic Mind
The third finalist, Mike Rutenberg, represents the potential for the most significant philosophical change. As the passing game coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons, he has been a key lieutenant for head coach Raheem Morris, a highly respected defensive coach. Rutenberg's background is deeply rooted in the defensive scheme pioneered by Brandon Staley and later adopted by Morris--a system built on two-high safety shells designed to limit explosive plays, confuse quarterbacks with pre-snap disguises, and generate pressure with simulated blitzes and four-man rushes.
This approach is a stark contrast to Jim Schwartz's attack-first, single-high safety system. For the Browns, hiring Rutenberg would be a bold bet on modern schematic trends and a belief that the current personnel, particularly the defensive line featuring Myles Garrett, could thrive in a different context. It would ask players like Grant Delpit and Juan Thornhill to play more versatile, center-field roles. This choice would be the most dramatic, signaling a full reboot of the defensive identity rather than a modification.
The Stakes of the Decision
Whoever gets the nod will inherit a unit rich with talent but facing key questions. The defensive line remains world-class, but stars like Garrett aren't getting younger. The linebacker corps is athletic but has depth concerns. The secondary has a superstar in Ward, but the other cornerback spot is a question mark, and the safety duo is coming off a season where communication breakdowns led to costly plays.
Notably, Za'Darius Smith, mentioned in prior discussions, is no longer with the Browns; he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles for the 2025 season and announced his retirement in October 2025. Therefore, the Browns' edge rusher group focuses around Garrett and younger talent like Alex Wright.
The new coordinator's first tasks will be clear: install his system (or adapt the existing one), build relationships with veteran leaders, and develop a plan to address the defense's few but critical vulnerabilities. His success will directly impact the win-now window for this Browns roster.
The fact that the search is down to three finalists and moving to in-person interviews indicates the Browns are in the decision-making homestretch. These meetings are as much about philosophical alignment and personal rapport as they are about Xs and Os. Monken needs a partner he trusts implicitly on game day, a coach who can make in-game adjustments and manage the emotional pulse of the defense.
For Browns fans, this hire is more than just a new coach; it's about preserving the team's identity. Since 2023, the defense has been the constant, the bully that allowed the offense time to find its footing. Letting that slip is not an option. Whether the choice is Tarver's continuity, Undlin's secondary focus, or Rutenberg's schematic shift, the mandate is the same: keep the Browns' defense among the league's most feared.
According to Cabot's reporting, a decision could come soon. As the interviews conclude in Berea, the direction of one of the AFC's most formidable units is about to be decided.