Over the weekend, free agent safety Jim Leonhard told WQOW-TV that he’s talked to the Packers about joining the team and seemed to indicate that a deal could be struck this offseason.
“They’re a great organization,” Leonhard said. “I’d love to play for them but it hasn’t worked out up to now. You never know what can happen in the future, but we’ll see.”
However, in a chat with SiriusXM NFL Radio earlier today, Leonhard threw cold water on such talk, according to Alex Marvez of FOX Sports 1 (on Twitter). Leonhard says that his agent is talking with clubs, just as he does every offseason when he’s not under contract, and says a deal isn’t imminent.
Leonhard, who has nine NFL seasons to his credit and 67 career starts, spent last season with the Bills and recorded five pass deflections, four interceptions, and 30 tackles. The 31-year-old is a native of Tony, Wisconsin and attended the University of Wisconsin, so it stands to reason that he would be excited to join up with the Packers. As of right now, however, it sounds like a homecoming is far from guaranteed.
Leonhard has 302 tackles and 12 interceptions over the course of his career with the Bills, Jets, and Broncos. The Packers already have safeties Morgan Burnett, Micah Hyde, and rookie Ha Ha Clinton-Dix in the fold, so it’s unclear how much interest they might have in Leonhard. One would have expected Browns coach Mike Pettine, who has coached Leonhard with three different teams, to come calling, but it doesn’t appear that has happened yet.
In today’s interview, Leonhard also said that he plans to make 2014 his final NFL season, tweets Marvez.