The stars had seemingly aligned for the Green Bay Packers to land Jim Leonhard as their defensive coordinator, but then they just didn't even try?
Not only did the Packers' decision to hire Jonathan Gannon puzzle fans, but the timing was equally baffling. Why not wait an extra day until they could speak to Leonhard? As an assistant coach for the Denver Broncos, Leonhard couldn't communicate with other teams until after the AFC Championship Game.
Turns out, Matt LaFleur had a good reason to move quickly. According to ESPN's Rob Demovsky, the New York Giants and Los Angeles Chargers also had interest in Gannon, and the Packers risked missing out by delaying their decision.
Matt LaFleur had to act fast to hire Jonathan Gannon, even with reported mutual interest with Jim Leonhard
There were several moving parts. The Harbaugh brothers were also reportedly keen on hiring Gannon, and it's perhaps no surprise that within hours of the Packers landing the former Arizona Cardinals head coach, the Giants hired Dennard Wilson for their vacant DC position.
So, if there was mutual interest between the Packers and Leonhard, why not wait?
Interest doesn't guarantee a deal. LaFleur learned that the hard way five years ago when all signs seemed to point toward Leonhard taking the job. He instead decided to continue his college coaching career, and the Packers turned to Joe Barry.
Leonhard will draw interest from several teams, and it's no guarantee that he would have ended up in Green Bay. LaFleur would've risked losing Gannon and Leonhard by delaying his decision.
For all we know, Gannon was LaFleur's top choice. He interviewed over two days late last week, and the Packers didn't waste much time in hiring him. Besides, LaFleur previously interviewed Leonhard for the role in 2021, so he already has a good feel for his approach and potential fit in Green Bay.
Hiring Gannon is undoubtedly a polarizing decision among Packers fans, and understandably so. That said, the appeal is obvious from LaFleur's perspective.
Like with Jeff Hafley, he wants a defensive coordinator who can act almost like the "head coach" of the defense. LaFleur's strength is on offense, and that's where he spends much of his time each week. Gannon has experience calling plays, coordinating a defense, and as an NFL head coach. Those skills will allow him to take ownership of the defense, whereas a less experienced position coach may have taken time to adapt to the role.
And while Gannon's time in Arizona didn't go well, he has enjoyed success as a defensive coordinator. In 2022, his Philadelphia Eagles defense ranked No. 2 in the NFL and they reached the Super Bowl.
Time will tell whether it works out in Green Bay, but LaFleur clearly had Gannon high on his list and couldn't risk delaying his decision any longer.