Jets Fans Make Their Pitch: Bring Jim Leonhard Back to New York
Jim Leonhard’s coaching future took an unexpected turn thanks to the NFL’s unforgiving calendar. There was reported mutual interest between Leonhard and the Green Bay Packers, but with Leonhard still on staff in Denver during their AFC Championship run, he couldn’t take interviews.
Green Bay, facing its own timeline, moved on. That left Leonhard on the outside looking in - at least for now.
But if there’s one fanbase loudly campaigning for him to land somewhere meaningful, it’s in New York - specifically, with the Jets.
Jets Fans Want Leonhard - Badly
Scroll through Jets Twitter right now and you’ll see it: a full-on grassroots movement to bring Jim Leonhard back to Florham Park. Fans are practically begging the front office to make it happen, and some are already envisioning him as the next defensive coordinator.
One post reads, “Hire Jim Leonhard before someone else does,” while another simply pleads, “Please #Jets hire DC Jim Leonhard. He is wonderful DC job.” The sentiment is clear - this isn’t just a wish; it’s a rallying cry.
And for good reason. Leonhard isn’t just a hot coaching candidate - he’s a familiar face.
A former Jet himself, Leonhard played three seasons in New York under Rex Ryan, signing a three-year, $6 million deal back in 2009. That first year?
He was a tone-setter on a defense that helped carry the Jets to the AFC Championship Game. He started all 16 games, racked up 66 tackles, 2.5 sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble.
He was everywhere.
Jets fans remember that version of Leonhard - smart, tough, and always in the right place. He wasn’t the biggest guy on the field, but he played like he was. That kind of grit stuck with New York fans, and now, they want that same edge on the sideline.
A Defensive Mind in Demand
Leonhard’s coaching résumé is just as compelling. He’s built a reputation as one of the brightest young defensive minds in the game, rising quickly through the college ranks and most recently working with the Broncos. His schemes are aggressive but disciplined - a modern twist on the kind of defense Jets fans still romanticize from the Rex Ryan era.
And while the Packers may have been the initial frontrunner, the Jets now find themselves in a position to make a serious move. The window is open. The question is: will they walk through it?
A Familiar Face in a New Role?
For Leonhard, a return to New York wouldn’t be a homecoming in the literal sense - he’s a Wisconsin native through and through. But emotionally?
It might feel pretty close. The Jets gave him a platform as a player, and now, fans are hoping they’ll give him one as a coach.
It’s not often that you see this kind of alignment between a team’s needs and a fanbase’s desires. The Jets are in the market for a defensive coordinator.
Leonhard is available. And the fans?
They’re already sold.
Whether the Jets front office feels the same way remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure - if Jim Leonhard does land in New York, he won’t be walking into a cold room. He’ll be walking into a fanbase ready to welcome him back with open arms and sky-high expectations.