The Los Angeles Chargers are casting a wide net in their search for a new defensive coordinator, and one of the top names on their radar is Jim Leonhard - currently the Denver Broncos’ assistant head coach and defensive pass game coordinator.
According to reports, the Chargers have officially requested to interview Leonhard for the role, a move that makes a lot of sense given his rising profile around the league. With Jesse Minter leaving L.A. to take the head coaching job in Baltimore, the Chargers are looking to reset their defensive identity, and Leonhard brings the kind of pedigree that could help them do just that.
Leonhard’s name has been buzzing in coaching circles for a while now. When he joined Denver’s staff in 2024 as the defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator, it didn’t take long for him to make an impression. He was promoted to assistant head coach this past season - a clear sign of how highly the Broncos valued his football mind and leadership.
And it wasn’t just internal praise. Denver’s defense made noticeable strides, especially in the secondary, where Leonhard’s fingerprints were all over their improved pass coverage schemes.
His ability to develop talent and craft game plans that neutralize modern passing attacks has turned heads across the league. That kind of success tends to attract attention - and now, Leonhard finds himself in the mix for multiple high-profile coordinator jobs.
While the Chargers are making their move, they’re not alone. Reports indicate that Leonhard is also viewed as the frontrunner for the Buffalo Bills’ defensive coordinator position.
That kind of competition underscores just how in-demand he is right now. Teams aren’t just looking at what he’s done in Denver - they’re projecting what he could do with the keys to an entire defense.
For the Chargers, this hire is a pivotal one. With a new head coach in place and a roster that features talent on all three levels of the defense, bringing in a coordinator who can elevate that unit is crucial. Leonhard checks a lot of boxes: he’s a former player with a high football IQ, he’s shown he can lead, and he’s already helped engineer a defensive turnaround in Denver.
The Broncos, for their part, appear set to retain defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, which opens the door for Leonhard to pursue opportunities elsewhere. While some had speculated Leonhard might be the natural successor in Denver if Joseph departed, that scenario now looks unlikely - further fueling the momentum behind his next move being a full-time defensive coordinator gig elsewhere.
Whether it’s in Los Angeles, Buffalo, or another destination still in the mix, Jim Leonhard’s next step seems inevitable. He’s earned his shot to run a defense, and based on the demand, it’s only a matter of time before he gets that opportunity.