Above all else, Browns' defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg wants to help the Browns win with their defense. It's a mindset that was instilled in him by Raheem Morris and Jeff Ulbrich, including during the 2025 season when he was Atlanta's defensive pass game coordinator.
"I learned that from Jeff Ulbrich," Rutenberg said. "Raheem Morris used to say, 'help the team win on defense. Find a way to help the team win, on defense.' It's a team game, we're a team staff, Browns helping Browns, man. I want to help this team win."
The Browns' defense will take that mentality into their Week 1 matchup with the Jaguars, where one key factor towards achieving their goal will be slowing down QB Trevor Lawrence and his dual threat capabilities. Lawrence excelled as both a passer and rusher last season, helping lead Jacksonville to a 13-4 record.
On the ground, Lawrence totaled 359 yards in 2025, the most in a single season in his career and 10th amongst quarterbacks. Lawrence also scored nine rushing touchdowns, tied with QB Jaxson Dart for second-most amongst signal callers in the NFL.
"He's one of the best in the league for sure," LB Easton Mascarenas-Arnold said. "He does a lot of things well. His ability to scramble and extend plays is one of his superpowers. So, I think just containing him and not letting a good quarterback in the NFL do what good quarterbacks do."
The entire Browns' defense understands the importance of limiting Lawrence's effectiveness with his legs. As a part of Cleveland's attacking front, DE Jared Verse acknowledged Lawrence's dual-threat ability but is approaching the assignment without fear.
"Trevor Lawrence is a great player," Verse said. "He can go back there, he can dot you up all day, but he can also run the ball around you if you give him those gaps, those seams. And we're just going to rush and get after him. We're not going to rush scared because you can't do that with anybody. If you rush scared, he's just going to be back there dotting you up the whole time."
LB Carson Schwesinger explained how understanding assignments can help the Browns defend against Lawrence's rushing ability. Cleveland is aiming to limit the number of holes or gaps that he can scramble through.
"I think with a guy like that, obviously you don't want to give him lanes to run in," Schwesinger said. "And when they have certain plays where it's an option, just make sure everyone's doing their job. If you got the QB, you have the QB. And likewise, if you got the running back, stay on the running back. You do that, you get it handled."
Lawrence's running ability isn't the only part of his game that the Browns will look to contain, though. As a passer last season, Lawrence threw for 4,007 passing yards – which ranked sixth in the league – and added 29 touchdowns, which was the fifth most in the NFL.
On defense, the Browns are looking to dial up their desired coverages against Lawrence in the passing game. Schwesinger noted the importance of being comfortable with the defensive play calls while not allowing Lawrence to roll out.
"You want to keep him in the pocket, but I mean, other than that, he can get the ball where he wants to," Schwesinger said. "You just got to make sure we're in what we want to call against it."
When the Browns' defense takes the field against Lawrence in Jacksonville in Week 1, they will aim to embody Rutenberg's mentality of wanting to help the team win over anything else. And accomplishing that goal starts with containing Lawrence.
"We're going to get after him," Verse said. "We're going to get to him. We're going to hit him. We're going to try to sack him a couple times, hopefully a lot more than a couple, but we're just going to do what we have to do to get that win."
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 1 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Offensive tackle Spencer Fano (55) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Austin Barber (58) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) and the linebackers during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson (40) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (11) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Jared Verse (8) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson (40) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (20) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Pass Game Coordinator Ephraim Banda during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Jared Verse (8) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Tytus Howard (71) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback D'Angelo Ross (37) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (29) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Spencer Fano (55) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive Coordinator Mike Rutenberg during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Tight end Carsen Ryan (48) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive Line Coach George Warhop during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Taylen Green (15) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Quincy Williams (5) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Chris Williams (61) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (0) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Bub Means (81) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Zak Zinter (70) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive Analyst Shaq Wilson during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive Coordinator Mike Rutenberg and Senior Defensive Assistant Dom Capers during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Nadame Tucker (60) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Zion Logue (69) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Zion Logue (69) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Sam Williams (54) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (11) during practice on September 9, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Tight end Messiah Swinson (84) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Nadame Tucker (60) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Bub Means (81) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Assistant Offensive Line Coach Bobby Johnson during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (42) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive Assistant/Assistant Linebackers Coach Zach Dunn during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Quincy Williams (5) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins (74) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Derek Barnett (97) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Zion Johnson (77) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Bub Means (81) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Daniel Thomas (24) during practice on September 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
