Jim Leonhard is heading back to the AFC East-but not in the way many Jets fans had hoped.
Sixteen years after helping lead the New York Jets to back-to-back AFC Championship appearances as a hard-hitting safety, Leonhard is now set to call plays for a division rival. The Buffalo Bills are expected to hire him as their new defensive coordinator, according to multiple reports.
Leonhard, fresh off a strong stint as the Denver Broncos’ defensive pass-game coordinator and assistant head coach, was among the hottest names in this year’s coaching carousel. His defensive acumen-sharpened over years at Wisconsin and further elevated in Denver-had him squarely on the radar for several teams, including the Jets. In fact, he was one of eight candidates who got a virtual interview for New York’s defensive coordinator job.
But that’s where the Jets’ interest seemed to stall. Leonhard never got a second interview, while only Wink Martindale and Chris Harris reportedly advanced to that next round.
Instead, the Jets shifted gears late in the process and hired Brian Duker, the Miami Dolphins’ secondary coach and pass-game coordinator. Duker wasn’t part of the original group of candidates, but after a virtual interview on Tuesday, he landed the job on Wednesday.
With the Jets moving in a different direction-and with Aaron Glenn likely to retain play-calling duties in New York-Leonhard turned his attention elsewhere. He took interviews with the Chargers and Ravens before ultimately choosing Buffalo, where he’ll have full control of the defense under new head coach Joe Brady.
That autonomy likely played a big role in Leonhard’s decision. The opportunity to run his own defense, make the calls, and shape the unit’s identity is something that wasn’t guaranteed in New York. In Buffalo, he’ll get that chance.
Leonhard’s coaching résumé speaks for itself. After wrapping up his playing career, he made an immediate impact in the college ranks, turning Wisconsin’s defense into one of the nation’s most consistent and physical units from 2017 to 2022.
He then transitioned to the NFL, joining Sean Payton’s staff in Denver. Over the last two seasons, he helped transform the Broncos’ secondary into one of the league’s stingiest groups, while also taking on assistant head coaching responsibilities.
Now, he inherits a Bills defense that has been a staple of the team’s recent success but is in the midst of a transition. With a new head coach and a fresh voice leading the defense, Buffalo is betting on Leonhard’s ability to elevate the unit and keep the team competitive in a division that’s only getting tougher.
For Jets fans, it’s a bittersweet twist. Leonhard was once a fan favorite in green and white-an undersized safety with a big motor and a sharp football mind.
Many hoped to see him return to Florham Park in a headset, not a helmet. Instead, they’ll see him twice a year on the opposing sideline, trying to scheme up ways to stop the very team he once helped carry deep into January.
The AFC East just got a little more interesting.