LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas Raiders aren’t looking far to fix a broken defense. Just days after hiring Klint Kubiak as head coach, the organization reportedly made its first major staff decision on Saturday, promoting defensive line coach Rob Leonard to defensive coordinator.
Leonard, 38, steps into the role after three seasons in Las Vegas, tasked with rebuilding a unit that collapsed during the team’s disastrous 3-14 campaign in 2025. NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero broke the news, noting that Joe Woods is also expected to remain as defensive pass game coordinator.
Continuity for Crosby?
The promotion signals a clear strategy: keep Maxx Crosby happy. The star pass rusher’s future in Las Vegas has been the subject of rampant trade speculation following a frustrating end to the 2025 season, where he was shut down for the final two games. By elevating Leonard—who has worked directly with Crosby since 2023—the Raiders are betting on familiarity to cool down the tension.
Crosby, who signed a massive $106.5 million extension just last year, recently told reporters he didn’t want to “throw gasoline on the fire” regarding rumors of a potential exit. Leonard’s presence gives Crosby a trusted ally in the room as the new Kubiak regime takes over.
“We want him to be a part of our success going forward. There’s no doubt about that. He’s one of the best players in the NFL. That’s a no-brainer.”
— Klint Kubiak, Raiders Head Coach (on Maxx Crosby)
The Challenge: Fixing a Broken Unit
Leonard inherits a mess. The Raiders’ defense was a sieve in 2025, ranking 25th in points allowed (25.4 per game) and managing just 24 sacks all season—one of the worst marks in franchise history. The unit struggled to generate pressure outside of Crosby, frequently leaving the secondary exposed.
Former defensive coordinator Patrick Graham paid the price for those struggles, departing earlier this month to join Mike McCarthy’s staff in Pittsburgh. Leonard now gets his first crack at play-calling in the NFL. His resume includes stops with the New York Giants (2013-18), Miami Dolphins (2019-21), and a stint with John Harbaugh in Baltimore (2022), but this is his first time in the big chair.
The No. 1 Pick Looming
While Leonard patches up the defense, the spotlight remains on the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. The consensus points to Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner who led the Hoosiers to a national title after transferring from Cal.
However, Kubiak pumped the brakes on a coronation during his introductory presser. “There is still film to review,” he said, suggesting the Raiders haven’t locked in their choice yet. With free agency opening in March and the draft in April, Leonard and Kubiak have a narrow window to evaluate the roster before the rebuild officially begins.
