What Ian Rapoport said about Jim Leonhard and the Packers is hard to ignore

The stars seem to be aligned for Jim Leonhard to return home to Wisconsin and be the next defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers if he wants it. More and more insiders think there is some real juice between the two parties. The latest is Ian Rapoport, who said, "There is mutual interest" for both Leonhard and the Packers.

The hangup will be the timing. Right now, Leonhard is coaching the defensive backs and is the associate head coach for the Denver Broncos. The Broncos play in the AFC Championship tomorrow and can't interview until after the game, win or lose.

The Green Bay Packers would like to interview Jim Leonhard for the open defensive coordinator position

Related: ESPN radio host gives Jim Leonhard to Packers update that fans will want to hear

Rapoport talked a bit about all the open positions in his article but brought up what he's heard about the Packers and Leonhard. Beyond saying there was mutual interest between the two parties, he also said, "While nothing is set, the hope is both sides can get together for a discussion after Sunday’s AFC title game. With Leonhard’s ties to the state, this one makes sense. Leonhard is considered to be one of the top defensive coordinator candidates."

This is good news for Wisconsin Badger fans who want not only success for the former player and coach but also for Leonhard to return home. If those Wisconsin fans are also Green Bay Packers, then there's another excitement involved, bringing in one of the top defensive coordinator targets to the home team.

Leonhard will have options after tomorrow's game. There are a few other teams that are also interested in bringing him in for an interview. So while there is mutual interest, the Packers can't get away with lowballing him or assuming it's already in the bag.

Tomorrow evening will reveal a lot about the next steps for both the Packers and Leonhard.