The Ravens are casting a wide net in their search for a new defensive coordinator, and one of the names now firmly on their radar is Jim Leonhard. According to reports, Baltimore has officially requested to interview the Broncos’ assistant head coach and defensive pass game coordinator for the vacancy.
Leonhard’s name has been circulating in coaching circles for some time, and for good reason. Before Denver promoted him in 2025, he was already making waves as a rising defensive mind.
His recent interviews with the Chargers and a scheduled meeting with the Bills show just how in-demand he’s become. Add in prior interest from the Packers before they went with Jonathan Gannon, and it’s clear Leonhard’s stock is trending up.
This isn’t Baltimore’s first move in the process. The Ravens have also put in a request to speak with Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen, signaling a deliberate and thorough approach as they look to fill a critical role on John Harbaugh’s staff.
Leonhard brings a unique blend of experience to the table. He spent a decade in the league as a safety, suiting up for six different teams-Buffalo, Baltimore, New York (Jets), Denver, New Orleans, and Cleveland. That kind of on-field résumé gives him a player’s perspective that’s hard to teach and often invaluable in the locker room.
After his playing days, Leonhard transitioned quickly into coaching, joining the Wisconsin staff as defensive backs coach in 2016. Just a year later, he was promoted to defensive coordinator-a role he held until 2022.
When Paul Chryst was dismissed midseason, Leonhard stepped in as interim head coach and led the Badgers to a 5-3 finish. He didn’t land the full-time gig but remained a respected figure in college coaching circles.
In 2023, Leonhard joined the Illinois staff, continuing to build his coaching chops before the Broncos brought him on in 2024 to oversee the secondary. A year later, Denver elevated him to assistant head coach and defensive pass game coordinator, a clear sign of the trust and value they saw in his leadership.
Now, with multiple teams showing interest, Leonhard is firmly in the mix for a top NFL coordinator job. For the Ravens, who have long prided themselves on defensive identity, bringing in someone with Leonhard’s pedigree-both on the field and on the sidelines-would be a move worth watching closely.
We’ll keep an eye on how this unfolds as Baltimore narrows its list.