The Raiders chose familiarity over flash. And that decision could define their rebuild.
When Patrick Graham left for Pittsburgh, Las Vegas had a choice:
Go splashy.
Or go steady.
They chose steady.
Rob Leonard — the Raiders’ defensive line coach and run game coordinator — was promoted to defensive coordinator. No national buzz. No blockbuster hire.
Just trust.
CBS Sports graded the move a B-.
That feels about right.
What Leonard Brings
Last season, with Leonard heavily involved in shaping the front, the Raiders:
- Finished 2nd in the NFL in yards per rush allowed (3.9)
- Ranked 3rd in tackles for loss (105)
That’s not nothing.
The defensive line was a strength. The effort was consistent. The physicality was real.
And perhaps most importantly:
Leonard built a strong relationship with Maxx Crosby.
At a time when Crosby’s future is uncertain, promoting someone he trusts isn’t accidental.
It’s strategic.
The Risk Nobody’s Ignoring
There’s one unavoidable concern.
Leonard has never been an NFL defensive coordinator.
And Klint Kubiak — the new head coach — is also in his first head-coaching role.
When a first-time head coach hires a first-time coordinator on the side of the ball that isn’t his specialty, it raises eyebrows.
There’s no veteran safety net.
No proven track record calling full defensive games.
It’s projection.
But Here’s the Counterpoint
There were no guaranteed home-run candidates on the market.
And continuity matters.
The Raiders have suffered through years of coaching turnover. Scheme changes. Identity shifts.
Kubiak made it clear what he wants:
- Physicality
- Effort
- Technique
- Accountability
“It’s not the X’s and O’s… It’s about how hard your guys play.”
Leonard’s background coaching the trenches aligns with that philosophy.
He’s not known as a schematic wizard.
He’s known as a grinder.
The Crosby Factor
Let’s be honest.
This hire might have been about more than scheme.
If you’re trying to convince your franchise cornerstone to stay through a rebuild, promoting someone he respects sends a message:
We value your voice.
We value your comfort.
We value continuity.
That doesn’t guarantee Crosby stays.
But it doesn’t hurt.
The Real Evaluation Timeline
Here’s the truth:
You can’t fairly judge this move yet.
The Raiders still need:
- Defensive reinforcements
- Draft additions
- A clearer identity under Kubiak
Leonard deserves time.
If the defense maintains its run-stopping dominance and improves situationally, this hire will look smart.
If the unit regresses?
The criticism will come quickly.
The Bottom Line
This wasn’t a headline hire.
It was a culture hire.
The Raiders are betting that toughness and trust will matter more than splash and pedigree.
And in a franchise searching for stability, that might be exactly the kind of gamble they’re willing to take.
Leave a Reply