The New York Giants are continuing to search for a defensive coordinator for John Harbaugh\u2019s defense. Here is some background on four candidates who are continually mentioned.<\/p>\n
The 45-year-old former Miami Dolphins\u2019 defensive coordinator seems like the leader in the clubhouse for the Giants\u2019 job. Except for all of those pesky head-coaching interviews he keeps getting.<\/p>\n
There are currently five head-coaching openings remaining in this hiring cycle \u2014 Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders.<\/p>\n
Weaver has interest from the Steelers and Bills for their vacancies. He interviewed with the Steelers in-person on Friday. He received an interview request from the Cardinals, but it is not clear that ever took place. He interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons before they hired Kevin Stefanski, and had two interviews with the Baltimore Ravens before they chose Jesse Minter.<\/p>\n
Weaver was defensive coordinator of the Houston Texans in 2020, and the Miami Dolphins for the past two seasons. He was in Baltimore working for Harbaugh as defensive line coach for three seasons, 2021-2023.<\/p>\n
Weaver started his NFL coaching career in 2012 working under Rex Ryan with the New York Jets. He has also coach with the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills.<\/p>\n
Weaver, a defensive tackle as a player, was a second-round pick by the Ravens in 2002 and had a seven-year NFL career with Baltimore and Houston.<\/p>\n
There is no doubt how Harbaugh feels about him. Here is what Harbaugh said about Weaver before the Dolphins hired him away from the Ravens to be defensive coordinator in 2024:<\/p>\n
Leonhard, 43, has never coached for a Harbaugh \u2014 John or Jim. He did play for John Harbaugh in 2008, Harbaugh\u2019s first as Ravens\u2019 head coach.<\/p>\n
Leonhard played in the NFL for 10 seasons. He coached at Wisconsin from 2016-2022, serving as defensive coordinator beginning in 2017. He joined Sean Payton\u2019s Denver Broncos staff in 2024 and has spent the last two seasons working under Payton and Vance Joseph. He has been defensive backs coach, pass game coordinator, and in 2025 was the Broncos\u2019 assistant head coach.<\/p>\n
The problem for Leonhard might be timing. The Senior Bowl begins on Tuesday in Mobile, Ala., and there is a belief that the Giants would like to have their offensive and defensive coordinators in place by then if possible.<\/p>\n
Leonhard\u2019s Broncos play Sunday in the AFC Championship Game. If they win and go to the Super Bowl, that timeline won\u2019t work. Even if they lose, Leonhard would have to interview, be offered and accept the job on Monday and join the Giants\u2019 contingent on Tuesday in Alabama.<\/p>\n