Packers find renewed confidence in the DC search as latest update points toward the ideal outcome

Jim Leonhard is interested in taking the job this time around, and that’s huge for Green Bay.

Wendell Ferreira — NFL News Writer
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Nov 26, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin head coach Jim Leonhard, center, is shown during the first quarter of their gam at Camp Randall Stadium.
Mark Hoffman-Imagn Images

The Green Bay Packers are waiting for Jim Leonhard to advance in their defensive coordinator search. And the good news is Leonhard is also interested in replacing Jeff Hafley to command the Packers’ defense under head coach Matt LaFleur.

NFL Network’s insider Ian Rapoport talked about the Packers’ search for their next defensive coordinator, confirming that there is mutual interest between Green Bay and the Denver Broncos’ top assistant coach.

“There also is mutual interest between the Packers and Wisconsin native and ex-Badgers star Jim Leonhard, who currently is Denver’s defensive pass game coordinator/assistant head coach,” Rapoport wrote. “While nothing is set, the hope is both sides can get together for a discussion after Sunday’s AFC title game. With Leonhard’s ties to the state, this one makes sense. Leonhard is considered to be one of the top defensive coordinator candidates.”

Track record

The Packers offered Jim Leonhard the DC job back in 2021, but he refused it. At the time, he was the Wisconsin Badgers’ defensive coordinator and hoped to become the head coach. He eventually became the interim HC in 2022, but wasn’t retained. Leonhard has been with the Broncos since last season.

His family still lives in Madison, Wisconsin, so it makes more sense for Leonhard on a personal level to take the job this time around.

The Packers have also interviewed Minnesota Vikings defensive pass game coordinator Daronte Jones, former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon, and Chicago Bears defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Al Harris. LaFleur also talked to Philadelphia Eagles passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Christian Parker, but he took the Dallas Cowboys’ DC job afterwards.

Matt LaFleur is looking for his fourth defensive coordinator in Green Bay. Previously, he had fired Mike Pettine and Joe Barry. Jeff Hafley was hired to be the Miami Dolphins’ head coach. So far, the Packers haven’t interviewed any of their internal candidates.

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