The Green Bay Packers are deep into a high-stakes search for their next defensive coordinator-a move that could shape the identity of their defense for years to come. With Jeff Hafley heading to Miami to join the Dolphins, the Packers are now looking to fill a crucial vacancy on Matt LaFleur’s staff. And while LaFleur’s own job security has been solidified with a contract extension, the spotlight now shifts to who will take over the reins of the Packers’ defense.
The timing of Hafley’s departure wasn’t exactly a shock. Miami recently brought in Jon Eric-Sullivan, a former Packers personnel executive, as their general manager. That connection, combined with LaFleur’s own belief that Hafley was destined for a head coaching opportunity, made his exit more a matter of “when” than “if.”
But just because the move was expected doesn’t mean it’s easy to replace a coordinator mid-offseason-especially in a year where multiple teams are competing for top defensive minds. The market is competitive, and with several franchises trying to fill the same role, candidates have leverage. That means higher salary demands and a tighter window to land the right fit.
One name that continues to generate buzz in Green Bay circles is Jim Leonhard. A Wisconsin native and former Badgers standout, Leonhard is currently the assistant head coach and defensive pass game coordinator for the Denver Broncos.
He’s not available for interviews just yet-NFL rules prohibit him from meeting with other teams while the Broncos are still alive in the postseason. Denver plays in the AFC Championship this weekend, so any official talks will have to wait until after that game.
Still, the interest is real-and growing. Leonhard has already been linked to multiple openings around the league, including the Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets.
But Green Bay might offer something those other teams can’t: autonomy. In Dallas and New York, the head coaches are expected to retain control of defensive play-calling.
In Green Bay, Leonhard would likely have the freedom to run the defense his way.
That could be a major selling point, especially for a coach who’s already turned down this job once. Yes, Leonhard was previously offered the Packers’ defensive coordinator position, but at the time, he had his sights set on something even bigger: becoming head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers.
That opportunity never materialized. Instead, Wisconsin went with Luke Fickell, and Leonhard was left on the outside looking in.
Since then, he’s taken a winding path back into the NFL coaching ranks. He worked as a defensive analyst at Illinois before landing in Denver, where he quickly climbed the ranks.
Hired in 2024 as the Broncos’ defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator, he was promoted to assistant head coach prior to the 2025 season. That kind of rise speaks volumes about how he’s viewed within league circles.
And it’s not just front offices taking notice. Former Packers offensive lineman Mark Tauscher recently endorsed the idea of bringing Leonhard home, calling him “as Wisconsin as Wisconsin gets.” That hometown connection, plus Leonhard’s reputation as a sharp defensive mind, makes him a compelling candidate-if and when LaFleur decides to make the call.
Ultimately, the Packers are at a crossroads. They need a defensive coordinator who can elevate a unit that’s shown flashes but lacked consistency.
Leonhard brings NFL experience both as a player and coach, a deep understanding of defensive scheming, and a familiarity with the region and organization. If Green Bay wants someone who can connect with the locker room and command respect on the field, Leonhard checks a lot of boxes.
But they’ll have to move quickly. With other teams circling and Leonhard’s stock rising, the window to land him could close fast. Once Denver’s playoff run ends, the real recruiting battle begins.