Report: Ex-Broncos Defensive Player Joins Coaching Team Under Sean Payton

The Denver Broncos are continuing their offseason reorganization of the coaching staff. Their most recent addition brings considerable experience to bolster a defense that ranked 22nd against the pass and 30th against the rush, according to Pro Football Reference.

Dan Graziano of ESPN reported on February 11 that Jim Leonhard is anticipated to join the Denver Broncos’ coaching staff to oversee the secondary. Leonhard, a former NFL defensive back, is highly respected in coaching circles and has been in discussions with multiple NFL and college teams.

Now 41 years old, Leonhard began his NFL career as an undrafted free agent with the Buffalo Bills in 2005. Over the course of a decade, he played for various teams including the Bills, Broncos, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New York Jets.

Leonhard had coaching experience prior to joining the Broncos. He served as the interim head coach at his alma mater, Wisconsin, in 2022, and worked as a senior defensive analyst at Illinois in the most recent season. His coaching tenure with the Badgers started in 2016, initially as a defensive backs coach before advancing to defensive coordinator.