Report: Eagles interview Wisconsin's Jim Leonhard for vacant Defensive Coordinator job

Per multiple reports, the Philadelphia Eagles have interviewed Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard for their vacant DC position.

Add Leonhard to the list of potential Eagles defensive coordinators in 2023

The #Eagles have interviewed former Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard as they look to fill their DC job, per league source. Leonhard was a 10-year NFL safety who is respected in league circles.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 20, 2023

Leonhard has been on the Badgers’ coaching staff since 2016, beginning his tenure as the program’s defensive backs coach, before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2017. He also served as the team’s interim head coach midway through the 2022 season, where his team went 5-3 under his watch.

After the program decided to go in a different direction at head coach, Leonhard announced that he would be coaching elsewhere in 2023 back in December.

Wisconsin’s DC has drawn interest from the NFL before. He reportedly turned down an offer from the Green Bay Packers in 2021 to become their defensive coordinator.

During his time in Wisconsin, Leonhard’s unit routinely ranked among the best in the nation, making him a hot commodity on the DC market – both at the collegiate and NFL level.

He also spent 10 years as a safety in the NFL, playing 142 games with 73 starts for the Bills, Ravens, Jets, Broncos, and Browns.

Leonhard is now the third candidate the Eagles have interviewed for their vacant DC position. Seahawks assistant Sean Desai was interviewed last week, and the team is expected to request an interview with Cardinals’ DC Vance Joseph.