TRENDING: Jim Leonhard, the former head coach of the Badgers, might be in line to secure the sought-after defensive coordinator position with the Green Bay Packers.

The former head coach of the Badgers was under consideration for the position in 2021 but declined the opportunity. On Wednesday, the Green Bay Packers made headlines by announcing that defensive coordinator Joe Barry would not be returning for the 2024 season.

Barry, who had held the role since 2021, faced significant criticism during his tenure, making his dismissal somewhat expected after the Packers’ loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Divisional Round. Head coach Matt LaFleur had refrained from providing specific details just two days prior.

With Barry no longer in the picture, one potential candidate for the Packers is the former head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers, Jim Leonhard. Leonhard was considered for the position in 2021 and was reportedly LaFleur’s top choice at that time, as per The Athletic. However, Leonhard opted to stay at Wisconsin as the defensive coordinator, leading the Packers to choose Barry over other notable candidates.

Currently serving as a senior defensive analyst with the Illinois Fighting Illini, Leonhard has been in consideration for various defensive coordinator positions in both the NFL and college football over the last two cycles. The possibility of Leonhard joining forces with the Packers is now on the table, but whether he will return to Wisconsin for a different team or if the Packers will explore other options remains uncertain.