The Green Bay Packers didn’t wait around this weekend - they made a bold move, hiring former Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon as their new defensive coordinator. The decision came quickly, and it came with a ripple effect.
Gannon brings plenty of experience to the table. Before his stint in Arizona, he led the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense all the way to a Super Bowl appearance.
And before that, he cut his teeth as a longtime cornerbacks coach across several NFL teams. His resume checks the boxes: leadership, postseason experience, and a clear identity on defense.
But what caught many off guard was the timing. Green Bay made the hire before even sitting down with Jim Leonhard - a name that’s been circled in NFL coaching circles for years.
Leonhard, currently the passing game coordinator and assistant head coach for the Denver Broncos, was unavailable for interviews until Monday due to Denver’s AFC Championship run. Still, the Packers didn’t wait.
Reports suggest they were concerned another team might swoop in and snag Gannon, so they made their move.
Now, with Denver out of the playoffs, Leonhard’s name is heating up - and fast. He’s already being linked to several defensive coordinator openings, but not all of them make sense.
For example, a spot like the Jets wouldn’t give him the autonomy to run his own defense. That’s a dealbreaker for a coach with his pedigree.
But one job opening stands out: Buffalo.
With the Bills promoting Joe Brady to head coach, the defensive coordinator position is now wide open - and Leonhard is emerging as a top candidate. It’s more than just a good fit on paper.
Leonhard has history in Buffalo. He began his NFL playing career there, spending his first three seasons (2005-2007) in a Bills uniform and returning for another stint in 2013.
That connection, combined with the opportunity to call his own plays, makes this a compelling reunion in the making.
Leonhard is known for his sharp defensive mind and adaptability - traits that would mesh well with a Buffalo team looking to reset after another deep playoff run. If he gets the job, it could be a homecoming with real upside for both sides.
As for the Packers, they’ve made their choice in Gannon - and they’re betting on his experience and aggressive style to elevate a defense that’s been searching for consistency. Time will tell if they made the right call. But one thing’s clear: the defensive coordinator carousel is spinning fast, and Leonhard is still very much in play.