Packers Hire Jonathan Gannon as DC - But Did They Jump the Gun on Jim Leonhard?
The Green Bay Packers have their new defensive coordinator, but the timing of the hire is raising some eyebrows across the league. On Sunday afternoon, the Packers named Jonathan Gannon as the man to lead their defense into the next era. But just hours later, the Denver Broncos were eliminated from the AFC Championship Game - making Jim Leonhard, a name heavily linked to the Packers’ search, officially available for in-person interviews.
That twist in timing has fans and insiders alike wondering: did the Packers move too fast?
The Leonhard Factor
Jim Leonhard wasn’t just another name on the Packers’ list - he was the name many believed they were waiting for. According to multiple reports, including one from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, there was mutual interest between Leonhard and the Packers.
The only holdup? NFL rules prevented an in-person interview while Leonhard’s Broncos were still in the playoff hunt.
Leonhard, serving as Denver’s defensive passing game coordinator, had a strong case heading into the weekend. And on Sunday, even in a losing effort against New England, his defense delivered.
The Broncos held the Patriots to just 206 total yards, with their only touchdown coming off a short field after a Jarrett Stidham fumble. Most notably, Denver’s secondary - under Leonhard’s guidance - held MVP candidate Drake Maye to just 86 passing yards.
That kind of performance, in a conference title game no less, would’ve made for a compelling interview on Monday.
But the Packers didn’t wait.
Gannon's Resume: A Closer Look
To be fair, Jonathan Gannon isn’t a slouch. He helped guide the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl appearance as their defensive coordinator in 2022.
That season, Philly’s defense was dominant - but it’s worth noting that Gannon had a loaded front line featuring names like Javon Hargrave, Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, Milton Williams, and Fletcher Cox. With that kind of firepower up front, it’s easier to look good on the back end.
That 2022 campaign was also the only time in Gannon’s five seasons as a defensive coordinator or head coach that his unit ranked among the league’s best in scoring defense. So while the résumé includes a Super Bowl run, the consistency hasn’t always been there.
According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, Gannon was also drawing interest from the Chargers and Giants for their DC vacancies. That might explain the Packers’ urgency - they didn’t want to risk losing him altogether. But in doing so, they may have passed on a coach they’d been eyeing for years.
A Missed Opportunity?
Leonhard isn’t new to Green Bay’s radar. He was the frontrunner for the job back in 2021 before ultimately turning it down.
Fast forward to now, and the Packers were reportedly planning to speak with him before making any final decisions. That plan changed - and fast - once Gannon came into the picture.
From a purely strategic standpoint, the Packers would have only needed to wait one more day to sit down with Leonhard. Instead, they made the call on Sunday - before Denver’s season officially ended - and now they’ll have to live with whatever comes next.
What’s Next for Green Bay?
There’s no denying Gannon brings experience and a history of working with elite talent. But this is Green Bay - not Philadelphia - and the personnel is different. The question now becomes whether Gannon can elevate this defense without a front loaded with Pro Bowlers.
On the flip side, Leonhard’s performance in Denver showed he can do more with less, especially in the secondary. His unit’s discipline and ability to limit explosive plays stood out in a high-stakes game. That kind of poise and execution could’ve been a perfect fit in Green Bay.
It’s too early to say whether the Packers made the right call. Gannon could come in and orchestrate a top-tier defense that keeps the team competitive in the NFC. But if things go sideways - or even just don’t improve - fans will remember the name they didn’t wait for.
In the NFL, timing is everything. And in this case, the Packers might’ve blinked first.