The Los Angeles Chargers have found their new defensive coordinator, hiring Chris O'Leary out of Western Michigan.
O'Leary is a solid hire, having served as the Chargers' safeties coach in 2024 and worked under Jesse Minter at multiple stops. He should be able to provide some sort of continuity for a Los Angeles defense that desperately needs it.
At the same time, Los Angeles may have also missed a serious opportunity to spite one of their rivals. In their interview process, they requested and completed an interview with Denver Broncos' assistant head coach and defensive pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard.
Leonhard has been with the Broncos for two seasons and, in 2025, helped lead one of the NFL's premier units. The Chargers had a chance, therefore, to poach an important staff member from one of their most bitter rivals.
Although O'Leary is a strong hire, it must have been a difficult choice to pass that up.
Jim Leonhard may have been another solid option for Chargers DC
With Minter gone, Los Angeles needed to focus on bringing in a defensive coordinator who could maximize the secondary in the same way their former coach did. Across two seasons with the Chargers, Minter landed the Chargers the seventh and fifth-best passing defense, respectively. He did so with a defense that was among the lowest paid in the league.
Leonhard has had similar success in Denver since his arrival as defensive backs coach. With a solid set of weapons including Patrick Surtain II, Riley Moss, and Talanoa Hufanga, the Broncos allowed the seventh-least total passing yards in 2025.
While the Broncos run a man-heavy scheme under defensive coordinator Vance Joseph (they ran man coverage at the second-highest rate in 2025), Leonhard has maximized the talent of his defense in a similar way to Minter.
Denver, moreover, appears poised to keep most of their staff together for 2026. Although they fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, it was likely in a bid to keep Davis Webb, who has been a hot head coaching candidate, for another year by offering him a promotion.
Joseph, meanwhile, is still in the running for the Arizona Cardinals job, but he seems poised to return as well.
The Broncos will have competition in retaining Leonhard. The Ravens have also interviewed him, and there are still numerous openings across the league.
Losing Leonhard would not necessarily be a devastating blow for Denver. But it is certain they would like to maintain as much continuity as possible after a disappointing finish to the season.
Los Angeles could have, therefore, delivered the ultimate slap in the face to their bitter rival if they chose to bring Leonhard in as their new defensive coordinator. Whether O'Leary was the right choice or not will be only be revealed by time.