The New York Jets are in the middle of a crucial search for their next defensive coordinator, and while the list of eight candidates includes a mix of lesser-known names, one stands out in a big way: Jim Leonhard.
Leonhard, currently serving as the assistant head coach and defensive pass game coordinator for the Denver Broncos, is one of the most respected young defensive minds in football. The fact that the Jets secured an interview with him is notable in itself - not just because of his credentials, but because of how selective he’s been with interviews in recent years.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just another name on a coaching list. Leonhard is a coach on the rise, and his résumé speaks volumes.
After wrapping up his NFL playing career in 2014, he jumped into coaching at Wisconsin in 2016. Just one year into that role, he was promoted to defensive coordinator - a move that set the tone for a fast-tracked coaching trajectory.
During his six-year run leading Wisconsin’s defense, Leonhard built one of the most consistently dominant units in college football. His schemes were physical, fundamentally sound, and adaptable - exactly what NFL teams covet. He even stepped in as interim head coach in 2022, going 4-3 after Paul Chryst’s midseason departure, and further proving his leadership chops.
In 2024, Leonhard made the leap to the NFL, joining Sean Payton’s staff in Denver. He started as the defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator, but once again, it didn’t take long for him to rise. After just one season, Payton elevated him to assistant head coach - a testament to his impact and football acumen.
Leonhard checks every box: high-level play-calling experience, a proven track record of developing talent, and a deep understanding of both college and pro systems. He also brings familiarity with the Jets organization.
From 2009 to 2011, he played safety in New York, anchoring a defense that was among the best in the league during that stretch. He also has ties to Jets defensive assistant Darren Mougey from their time in Denver, and he overlapped with current Jets head coach Aaron Glenn back in 2014 when Glenn was an assistant with the Browns.
All of that makes Leonhard an ideal candidate - on paper. But in reality, the situation is more complicated.
The Jets' defensive coordinator job isn’t exactly considered a top-tier opening right now. Between an uncertain future for Glenn and a defense that’s in need of a serious talent infusion, it’s not hard to see why some top candidates might hesitate. Add in interest from teams like the Giants and Cowboys - both of whom offer more stable situations - and it’s easy to understand why Leonhard may have other options.
Still, the fact that he even agreed to an interview is a win for the Jets. It suggests there’s at least some level of mutual interest, or at the very least, respect.
And if they can somehow convince him to take the job? That would be a game-changer.
Landing Leonhard wouldn’t just upgrade the defensive staff - it would send a message. It would show that Glenn still has pull around the league, that the Jets can attract top-tier coaching talent, and that the organization is serious about building a defense that can compete with the best.
Right now, Wink Martindale appears to be the frontrunner - a veteran coach with a proven résumé of his own. But Leonhard represents something different: upside, innovation, and a potential long-term answer at a position that’s been in flux.
If the Jets can make it happen, this hire could reshape the trajectory of the franchise. It’s a long shot - but one worth taking.