Leonhard, a former Jets safety, interviewed with New York earlier, but signs point to a split, with Buffalo emerging as the likely landing spot. If he takes the job in Buffalo, the Jets will still face him twice a year in the AFC East, adding a familiar adversary to the division’s already crowded dynamics.
The news comes on a day when Jets fans were already reacting to the team parting ways with offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand, a move many analysts and fans questioned. Critics argued Engstrand’s evaluation was hampered by the QB situation and the script-heavy game plans the Jets faced throughout 2025.
With Engstrand out, New York now needs to fill both their offensive and defensive coordinator positions. The OC search began on January 27, and early reporting suggests the process lacks a clear, unified plan, contributing to the sense of a chaotic 2026 offseason for the Jets.
Inside the building, the approach of head coach Aaron Glenn could influence the DC search. Reports indicated Glenn intends to call plays in 2026, which some observers say may limit the Jets’ options for a defensive coordinator who would want to be the primary playcaller.
Leonhard’s coaching trajectory has been notable. After retiring as a player in 2014, he coached at Wisconsin and Illinois before joining the NFL with the Denver Broncos in 2024 as the defensive pass game coordinator. Broncos head coach Sean Payton has praised Leonhard’s potential, suggesting he could be a future head coach candidate if his 2026 stint in Buffalo goes well.
Bottom line: the Jets’ 2026 offseason continues to unfold with their defensive coordinator search intersecting with unexpectedly competitive rival decisions. If Buffalo’s defense flourishes under Leonhard, he could become a stronger head coach prospect in 2027, leaving New York to navigate an unsettled coordinator landscape as they push to stabilize their coaching staff.
