Jim Leonhard remains a popular defensive coordinator candidate in the 2026 cycle. The Ravens are the latest team to seek an interview in his case. 
Baltimore has requested a defensive coordinator interview with Leonhard, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. That makes him the second staffer to receive a slip from the Ravens. Leonhard, who has been on the Broncos’ staff for the past two years, played for the Ravens in 2008.
Shortly after his playing career came to an end, Leonhard turned his attention to coaching. That began with eight years at the college level, including a lengthy run as Wisconsin’s defensive coordinator. The 43-year-old joined Sean Payton‘s staff in Denver in 2024 as a defensive backs coach and pass-game coordinator. This past season, Leonhard took on the role of assistant head coach.
A strong campaign in that capacity has resulted in widespread DC interest. Leonhard has already interviewed with the Cowboys, Chargers and Jets for their D-coordinator positions. All three have since been filled, but Baltimore could represent another opportunity on that front. The Ravens’ defense has been led by Zach Orr for the past two years, but since John Harbaugh‘s firing he has loomed as a candidate to depart. Baltimore has also requested an interview with Joe Cullen as a potential Orr replacement.
In other Ravens staffing news, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports longtime assistant Randy Brown will be staying in place. Brown arrived in Baltimore alongside Harbaugh in 2008 and has been a key figure on special teams ever since. Several staffers either have followed Harbaugh to the Giants or remain a candidate to do so. Brown’s lengthy tenure in Baltimore will nevertheless continue under new head coach Jesse Minter.