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Broncos have in-house replacement candidate if they lose Vance Joseph
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- Broncos have in-house replacement candidate if they lose Vance Joseph
Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is expected to be a top head coach candidate during the 2026 hiring cycle, and if the Broncos lose Joseph, they might already have an in-house candidate to replace him.
Jim Leonhard is an overqualified defensive backs coach who has interviewed for defensive coordinator openings with NFL teams in the past. Leonhard opted to remain with the Broncos in 2025 despite drawing interest from other clubs, and Denver rewarded him with a promotion to defensive pass game coordinator/assistant head coach.
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Leonhard's promotion came with a new title and a raise. It's unclear if the Broncos also hinted that he would be the top candidate to replace Joseph down the road, but it wouldn't be surprising if such a conversation was had.
If Joseph takes a head coach job, Denver will receive a third-round compensatory draft pick in 2026 and another third-round pick in 2027 as part of the NFL's Rooney Rule that rewards teams for developing minority coaches and executives. The Broncos currently hold seven picks , and they are expected to receive a comp pick for Javonte Williams in the spring.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Jim Leonhard a potential Vance Joseph replacement
