Bold start: Las Vegas is reshaping its defense, promoting Rob Leonard to defensive coordinator while keeping Joe Woods as defensive pass game coordinator. And this is only the beginning of a broader staff overhaul under new head coach Klint Kubiak.
Here’s what changed and why it matters. Rob Leonard has been with the Raiders since 2023, initially serving as the defensive line coach under former coordinator Patrick Graham. Graham recently joined Mike McCarthy’s staff with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ahead of the previous season, Leonard added the title of defensive run game coordinator, signaling a sharper emphasis on stopping ground attacks. In 2025, Las Vegas’ defense allowed the 17th-most rushing yards overall but was impressively stingy on a per-carry basis, ranking fourth in yards allowed per rush attempt. This pattern suggests Leonard’s unit isn’t merely big on volume; it’s efficient in snuffing out runs.
Joe Woods joined the Raiders last year as the defensive coordinator overseeing the pass game. Woods has previously led defenses for the Cleveland Browns (2020–2022) and the New Orleans Saints (2023–2024). He even overlapped with Kubiak for one season in New Orleans, giving this pairing some existing chemistry to build on. In 2025, Las Vegas finished 14th in passing yards allowed, showing room for improvement through a more cohesive pass defense.
These two moves mark the second and third additions to Kubiak’s inaugural Raiders coaching staff. Earlier in the week, former San Diego Chargers head coach and interim Tennessee Titans leader Mike McCoy was announced as assistant head coach, adding another veteran voice to the leadership group.
In short, Las Vegas is stacking its brain trust on defense as it accelerates toward a more unified, strategically varied approach. With Leonard commanding the front and Woods shaping the pass defense, the Raiders appear poised to emphasize both run-stopping discipline and more nuanced coverage schemes under Kubiak’s direction.
What do you think about keeping Woods alongside Leonard? Do you expect this duo to elevate Las Vegas’ defensive identity next season, or would you bet on additional changes later in the year? Share your take in the comments.
