The Green Bay Packers may have one of the most attractive NFL coaching jobs available. Following Jeff Hafley‘s departure to become the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, Matt LaFleur is looking for his fourth defensive coordinator since 2019.
Whoever Green Bay hires to be their next defensive coordinator is going to have the opportunity to work with All-Pro’s Micah Parsons and Xavier McKinney as well as rising stars Edgerrin Cooper, Devonte Wyatt, and Evan Williams.
But while the Packers have hired a number of candidates already, they should not expect a decision until LaFleur gets to interview on specific candidate: Jim Leonhard.
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur wants to interview Jim Leonhard
Yesterday, it was revealed that one of the candidates that Green Bay interviewed, Christian Parker, was hired by the Dallas Cowboys to be their defensive coordinator. This hire made some Packers fans believe that Green Bay could strike sooner rather than later.
However, Rob Demovsky of ESPN says that no decision or announcement will be made until LaFleur is able to speak to Leonhard:
“I don’t think anything happens until [Matt LaFleur] can talk to Jim Leonhard.”@RobDemovsky says the former #Badgers DC is “high on the list” for the #Packers job. @WildeAndTausch | @ESPNMilwaukee | @ESPNbd | #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/qALH0TzGup
— ESPN Madison (@ESPNMadison) January 23, 2026
“I think like most Matt LaFleur interview sessions or searches for assistants, he’s going to talk to a lot of guys. He’s done that just about every job opening he’s had, especially coordinators.
“And I don’t think anything happens until he can talk to Jim Leonard. I mean, I think Jim Leonhard’s high on his list. He obviously can’t talk to him and, I gotta be honest with you, there’s some debate about when they actually could talk to him if the Broncos win.
“I was under the impression that they could talk to him Monday during that Super Bowl bye week whether the Broncos win or lose. Obviously, if they lose, they can talk to him, and they’re probably going to lose Jared Stidham at quarterback.
“But then I talked to someone in the league who said, ‘Nope, if the Broncos win they cannot talk to him before the Super Bowl. Only head coach candidates can interview if their teams are still playing.’
“I don’t know if that’s true. I scoured the rules on the Internet and I can’t find clarity on it. But long story short, they’re going to talk to Jim Leonhard before any decision is made.”
And so, depending on what the rules actually turn out to be, the Packers’ defensive coordinator search could end as early as next week or could extend until after the Super Bowl.
More Green Bay Packers news from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- Packers’ Jordan Love has 1-word comment for wife Ronika Stone after baby bump photo
- Packers’ linebacker grades leave Quay Walker free agency decision crystal clear
- Packers’ Adam Stenavich named as candidate for open offensive coordinator job
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
