Reports: Raiders elevating Rob Leonard to defensive coordinator

Field Level Media|published: Sat 14th February, 17:47 2026

Aug 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive line coach Rob Leonard against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Rob Leonard is receiving a promotion from the Las Vegas Raiders, moving from run game coordinator/defensive line to defensive coordinator under new head coach Klint Kubiak, multiple media outlets reported Saturday.

Leonard, 38, has spent the past three seasons on Las Vegas' coaching staff and is reportedly close with Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby, whose name has surfaced in trade rumors after he expressed displeasure with being inactive for the team's final two games. Crosby is under contract through 2029 after signing a 3-year, $106.5 million extension in 2025.

Per NFL Network: "Leonard earns the promotion, a key hire for coach Klint Kubiak. Leonard is also close with Maxx Crosby. With Crosby's future uncertain in Las Vegas, worth noting that the Raiders hired the coach with whom he works directly. As one person noted, ‘The plot thickens.'"

Before joining the Raiders, Leonard was the outside linebackers coach for the Baltimore Ravens in 2022 after three seasons on the Miami Dolphins' coaching staff.

Leonard's first taste of coaching at the NFL level came with the New York Giants from 2013-18 as an assistant.

--Field Level Media

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