LAS VEGAS — The offensive overhaul is coming, but the defense is staying home. Just six days after taking the reins as the 25th head coach in franchise history, Klint Kubiak has made his first definitive strike on the other side of the ball. The Raiders are promoting defensive line coach and run game coordinator Rob Leonard to defensive coordinator, sources confirmed Sunday.
But the continuity doesn’t stop there. In a move that solidifies the veteran backbone of this staff, the team is also retaining defensive pass game coordinator Joe Woods.
For a team expected to draft quarterback Fernando Mendoza first overall in April, this decision sends a clear message: Kubiak trusts the defensive foundation already in the building, particularly the men who have maximized superstar Maxx Crosby.
The Saints Connection & The Logic of “Staying Put”
This isn’t just about keeping familiar faces; it’s about trusted alliances. While Kubiak spent the 2025 season engineering the Seahawks’ Super Bowl LX run, his 2024 stint as the Saints’ offensive coordinator gave him a front-row seat to Joe Woods’ defensive acumen. Woods served as the Saints’ defensive coordinator that season, meaning Kubiak knows exactly how Woods operates in the pressure cooker of an NFL week.
The retention of Woods pairs a seasoned play-caller with the rising star in Leonard. Woods boasts a resume thick with coordinator experience—leading defenses for the Browns (2020-22) and Broncos (2017-18)—which provides a perfect safety net for Leonard in his first coordinator gig.
Leonard, who has been in the trenches with the Raiders since 2023, has been the architect of a run defense that remained a bright spot during the turbulent 2025 campaign under Pete Carroll. His promotion is a direct nod to the locker room’s respect for him, specifically from the defensive line group.
“Continuity is king in this league. You look at what Rob [Leonard] has done with that front four—it’s nasty work. And Joe [Woods] has seen it all. Kubiak is smart to lean on guys who know the personnel while he fixes the offense.”
— League Source familiar with Raiders’ staffing decisions
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
This move allows Kubiak to pour his energy into the draft room. With the defense settled under Leonard and Woods, the organization’s full attention shifts to the No. 1 overall pick. The Raiders need a quarterback, and with the defensive staff locked in, the scouting department can focus on finding the right trigger-man to pair with Kubiak’s scheme.
Expect Leonard to maintain the aggressive front that defined the Raiders’ best moments in 2025, while Woods tightens up a secondary that struggled with consistency. The biggest winner here? Maxx Crosby. He keeps his position coach calling the shots, ensuring the Raiders’ best player remains the focal point of the attack.
