The Cleveland Browns‘ defensive coordinator search continues and we could have a decision from the team soon.
According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the team is interviewing Houston Texans passing-game coordinator Cory Undlin and Atlanta Falcons passing-game coordinator Mike Rutenberg this weekend.
“Browns are conducting in-person interviews with their DC candidates this weekend including Texans’ Cory Undlin and Falcons Mike Rutenberg, source says,” she reported.
Cabot adds that a decision could come down in the next day or two.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that, along with those two candidates, Browns linebackers coach Jason Tarver is also still in the mix.
According to reports, the Browns have shown interest in more than a handful of candidates throughout the process, but it would appear those three are the true finalists for the job.
Whoever takes the job has big shoes to fill, as they’ll be replacing Jim Schwartz, one of the most respected defensive play-callers in the NFL who had a ton of success as the Browns’ defensive coordinator over the past three seasons.
Schwartz was a candidate for the head-coaching job but was passed over for Todd Monken, which left the veteran play-caller disgruntled, leading to his resignation.
Schwartz is expected to take 2026 off before eventually returning to coaching.
The Browns hold his contractual rights for this coming season, so something would have to be worked out if Schwartz does decide to coach. Cleveland also has an option on Schwartz’s contract for 2027.
