Las Vegas is bringing in a new defensive coordinator
The The next Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator it will be an internal promotion. Within a week of officially accepting the head coaching position, Clint Kubiak is expected to give the job to former defensive line coach Rob Leonard.
After conducting a series of interviews, the Raiders did official engagement is expected Leonard soon, NFL insider Ian Rapoport confirmed Saturday. Leonard has been with the team since 2022, when he originally signed on as the defensive line coach.
Rapoport also noted that Leonard is close with Max Crosby, who the team will make a big effort to retain in the 2026 offseason. Many expected Crosby to request a trade after the confusing way he finished the 2025 season with the Raiders.
Las Vegas is expected to sign Leonard after considering both Jeff Howard of the Seattle Seahawks and DeMarcus Covington of the Green Bay Packers. Covington is also a renowned defensive coach, which suggests the direction Kubiak wants to take the Raiders’ defense in his first year as head coach.
Leonard becomes the first Raiders coach retained by Kubiak in 2026. Las Vegas cleaned house at the end of the regular season by firing head coach Pete Carroll, allowing former defensive coordinator Patrick Graham will sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Leonard also worked for the Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins and New York Giants. After one season as a high school assistant, Leonard’s coaching career really took off in 2010 with his alma mater, NC State.
Once Leonard officially puts pen to paper, Kubiak will still need to hire his offensive and special teams coordinators. Kubiak, the longtime offensive coordinator, could take his time with those hires.
2026-02-14 21:44:00
