In a time where the Denver Broncos have already lost an offensive assistant coach to a promotion with another team, a handful of teams had interest in current defensive backs coach Jim Leonhard, who has opted to stay with the team.
Denver Broncos DB coach Jim Leonhard staying in Denver after DC interest from NFL
The Denver Broncos secondary will maintain a lot of continuity going into the 2025 season after defensive backs coach Jim Leonhard elected to remain with the team despite receiving interest from at least three NFL teams to become their defensive coordinator, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport
Leonhard also served as the Broncos defense’ passing game coordinator. Inside the locker room, players love Leonhard, who has extensive knowledge of the game and is poised at some point in his NFL coaching career to become a defensive coordinator. Leonhard remaining on staff helps head coach Sean Payton keep installing the foundation for a young Broncos team that made the NFL Playoffs for the first time since 2015.
In his first season as the team’s defensive backs coach, cornerback Patrick Surtain II turned in his best year as a pro, setting himself up for the possibility of becoming the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year based on his production and impact this season. Under Leonhard’s coaching, the Broncos secondary maintained a high level of play with Surtain, Ja’Quan McMillian in the nickel, and the emergence of Riley Moss on the outside.
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On top of that, Denver’s top free agency acquisition, Brandon Jones, had an incredibly impactful season at safety. P.J. Locke turned in a strong year as a second-year starter.
Leonhard’s former experience as a long-time NFL veteran has helped players buy into his coaching early on, and he quickly became a favorite of the group after the departure of Christian Parker last offseason. If Vance Joseph were to land a head coaching gig, Leonhard would be the in-house favorite to take over as the defensive coordinator.
