What Browns, Jaguars hope to learn in Mike Rutenberg's 1st game as DC

The Browns are set to reveal their regular-season defense under new defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 13. In the lead-up, coach and players described early work as too controlled, with three preseason games producing a “vanilla” look compared with what they expect on opening day. Defensive tackle Mason Graham said the group wants to put its “heart, mind, fist” fully on display, while linebacker Quincy Williams emphasized “speed, violence, execution,” and expects more celebrations. Rutenberg arrives with scheme familiarity: he coached the Jets’ linebackers from 2021 to 2024, and he’s said preseason play-calling and offseason preparation helped him ramp up. The Browns’ approach is described as similar to the aggressive, pass-rush-and-man-coverage style Jim Schwartz used previously, though the Jaguars face their own questions entering Week 1.