What happened: Mike Rutenberg is defining Cleveland’s 2026 defense around a possession-first philosophy. He has also emphasized a “heart, mind, fist” approach and urged players to celebrate positive plays.

Why it matters: The message marks a new defensive voice for the Browns under Rutenberg, a first-time NFL defensive coordinator. Cleveland opens the regular season Sunday in Jacksonville.

What to watch: Watch how quickly Rutenberg’s philosophy translates against the Jaguars’ offense.