Packers’ DC hire has intriguing implications for Jets’ DC search

As of Championship Sunday, the New York Jets are still searching for their defensive coordinator.

The Jets have officially interviewed eight candidates. Among those, the most appealing option is arguably Jim Leonhard, an ascending young coach who has done excellent work as the Wisconsin Badgers’ DC and the Denver Broncos’ defensive pass game coordinator.

The Dallas Cowboys’ recent hire of Christian Parker, who did not interview with New York, was good news for the Jets, slightly increasing their odds of landing Leonhard or another preferred candidate.

Now, another DC vacancy has been filled without Leonhard going off the board. According to multiple reports, the Green Bay Packers have hired former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon as their next defensive coordinator.

Why this is promising news for the Jets

The Packers’ decision to bypass Leonhard increases the odds that he lands in New York.

The former Jets safety is a hot commodity around the league, also interviewing for Dallas’ and Green Bay’s DC jobs before they made their hires.

However, if the Jets want to keep their chances of hiring Leonhard alive, they must wait.

Teams are not permitted to officially hire or conduct in-person interviews with coaches whose teams are still alive in the postseason, a rule that applied to Leonhard.

Denver remains active in the playoffs, with the Broncos set to face the New England Patriots in Sunday’s AFC championship game, effectively placing Leonhard on hold until Denver’s season comes to an end.

With Green Bay’s and Dallas’ jobs both off the table, though, Leonhard’s odds of becoming the Jets’ next DC have increased significantly.

The Jets still must contend with many other DC openings around the NFL. The Chargers, Commanders, Titans, and 49ers have current openings, while multiple other teams with head coaching vacancies will likely make changes.

For now, given that the Jets did not interview Parker or Gannon, those hires are positive news for Aaron Glenn as he zeroes in on his candidates of choice, with Leonhard at the forefront.