The Broncos’ season ended with a 10-7 loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, a result that shadowed their back-to-back appearances and prompted a coaching staff shakeup. Head coach Sean Payton fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, along with wide receivers coach Keary Colbert and defensive backs coach Addison Lynch.
Leonhard’s role with Denver—defensive passing game coordinator and assistant head coach—positions him as a primary overseer of the defense’s back end. While his influence is strongest on the defensive side, Lynch and the defensive backs unit are among the groups he directly helped oversee.
Interest in Leonhard spans multiple teams. The Dallas Cowboys previously interviewed him, and the Chargers joined the mix as they searched for a new DC before reportedly hiring Western Michigan defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary for the role. The Chargers also requested to interview Leonhard, highlighting his standing as a sought-after defensive coach.
Denver has been widely recognized for its defensive performance over the past two seasons, under defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and Leonhard. The unit helped push the Broncos to a 14-3 regular season mark in 2025, underscoring why several teams have shown interest in Leonhard’s candidacy.
Leonhard’s background as a standout Wisconsin safety and his path from undrafted free agent to NFL starter adds to his appeal. A Wisconsin product, he earned multiple All-Big Ten honors and All-American selections in college, then spent a decade in the NFL with several teams, including a productive 2008 season with the Ravens featuring 69 tackles, nine pass deflections and a touchdown.
Beyond the AFC landscape, Buffalo appears positioned as a principal suitor, with reports suggesting Leonhard is a leading candidate to become the Bills’ next defensive coordinator. The Bills, like the Ravens, are in a period of transition with new leadership, keeping Leonhard in the spotlight as one of the league’s top defense-minded coaches.
