New Raiders Rumors on DC Search, Top Candidates for Klint Kubiak's Coaching Staff

The Las Vegas Raiders are continuing the team's search for a defensive coordinator under new head coach Klint Kubiak.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Raiders will interview Los Angeles Rams assistant head coach and pass game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant for their defensive coordinator role on Friday.

Las Vegas has also met with its current defensive line coach, Rob Leonard, for the defensive coordinator position, per Ed Graney of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

The Raiders officially hired Kubiak as their head coach after the Seattle Seahawks won Super Bowl LX on Sunday, concluding his one-year stint as Seattle's offensive coordinator.

Kubiak and Pleasant weren't NFC West rivals for an extended period of time, but they could end up joining forces in Las Vegas.

Pleasant was initially hired by the Rams in 2017, eventually becoming their cornerbacks coach. He later joined the Detroit Lions as the team's defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator, operating in the role from 2021-22 before heading back to Los Angeles.

Pleasant has generated plenty of interest during the current hiring cycle, with the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns reportedly interviewing him for their defensive coordinator vacancies on Monday.

While the Raiders boast star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby on their front seven, their overall defense still has plenty of room for improvement heading into 2026.

Las Vegas ranked No. 25 among all teams in scoring defense last season, allowing 25.4 points per game. The Raiders also struggled to generate turnovers, as their 16 takeaways ranked No. 24 in the league.

Kubiak is looking to help Las Vegas improve upon a 3-14 record in 2025.