The Denver Broncos entered the 2025 postseason with momentum, finishing the regular year with a 14-3 record and earning the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Denver’s defense was one of the league’s best, helping the Broncos secure home-field advantage and a first-round bye.
In the divisional round, Denver beat the Buffalo Bills 33-30 in overtime before advancing to host the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. In that snowy title matchup, the Broncos fell 10-7 in a defensive battle that ended Denver’s season and snapped its three-game home playoff winning streak.
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One of the rising coaching stars on head coach Sean Payton’s staff was Jim Leonhard, who served as defensive passing game coordinator and assistant head coach. Leonhard played an important role in Denver’s defensive game planning and helped develop the Broncos’ secondary over the past two seasons.
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton with members of his staff.Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
(Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images)
His growing reputation as a defensive strategist has drawn attention around the league as teams interviewed him for coordinator openings. Leonhard’s résumé includes a standout stint as defensive coordinator for the Wisconsin Badgers, where his units were consistently efficient before he moved into the NFL ranks.
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Now, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Leonhard will be joining the very team he helped the Broncos defeat in the playoffs: the Buffalo Bills.
“The Buffalo Bills are expected to hire Broncos defensive passing game coordinator and assistant HC Jim Leonhard as their defensive coordinator,” Schefter posted on Saturday. “Leonhard visited the Chargers and Ravens, but now will be in charge of the Bills’ defense.”
Leonhard, a former NFL safety who played for Buffalo early in his career and again in his next-to-last season, will be a key addition to new Bills head coach Joe Brady’s staff as Buffalo fills its defensive leadership role.
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For the Broncos, losing Leonhard is a notable departure from a staff that helped produce one of the league’s more disciplined defenses in 2025. Denver, which ranked second in total defense in 2025, will now seek a replacement capable of continuing the coverage schemes and secondary direction Leonhard helped install.
Meanwhile, the Bills hope his experience and scheme expertise will strengthen Buffalo’s defensive unit under Brady’s vision for the 2026 season.
Related: Bills Hire New Offensive Coordinator After Joe Brady Decision
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 31, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.