Green Bay Packers, AFC Coach Hold Mutual Interest For DC Position

The Green Bay Packers lost defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, as he signed a deal to become the next head coach of the Miami Dolphins. With Hafley gone, head coach Matt LaFleur and the Packers need to get to work on bringing in their next defensive coordinator.

One candidate that holds mutual interest with Green Bay is Denver Broncos defensive pass game coordinator and assistant head coach Jim Leonhard.

Leonhard was offered the defensive coordinator position for the Packers in 2021, but he declined, opting to stay with the University of Wisconsin. 

This time around, things could be different. However, Green Bay will have to be patient, as they can't interview Leonhard until after the AFC Title Game between the Broncos and New England Patriots.

Leonhard is a Wisconsin native, and he could be a solid defensive coordinator for a talented Packers defense.

The 43-year-old coach would inherit a defense that has some talented players, including superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons. Parsons had an incredible first season with Green Bay, finishing with 41 total tackles, 12.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and 26 quarterback hits.

Parsons was named a first-team All-Pro and a finalist for the Defensive Player of the Year award despite missing the final three games of the regular season.

Parsons is expected to be back early in the 2026 season as he rehabs from a torn ACL. The Packers also have talented defenders in safety Xavier McKinney and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper.

However, there is room for improvement in the secondary, as the cornerback room struggled in 2025. Green Bay signed cornerback Nate Hobbs on a four-year, $48 million deal last offseason, but he struggled to adjust to outside corner. 

The Packers relied on Carrington Valentine and Keisean Nixon, both of whom were inconsistent.

Upgrading the cornerback room will be the top priority for general manager Brian Gutekunst to improve the defensive unit.

However, overall, Green Bay has a talented defense, and getting the defensive coordinator hire right will be pivotal for the Packers' success, and Leonhard will get a hard look from LaFleur, Gutekunst, and the front office.

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