Raiders' Rob Leonard Reportedly Promoted to DC Role on Kubiak's Staff Amid Maxx Crosby Rumors

The Las Vegas Raiders are set to promote Rob Leonard from run game coordinator/defensive line coach to defensive coordinator, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Despite a head coaching change that saw the Raiders fire Pete Carroll and hire former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, Leonard is remaining on the staff in an elevated role.

One looming question relates to whether Leonard will get to coach superstar pass-rusher Maxx Crosby in 2026, as Schefter said Monday on the Pat McAfee Show that there is "a feeling around the league" that Crosby wants to be traded, although the Raiders "would prefer not" to deal him.

Crosby has neither confirmed nor denied the rumors, saying this week on the Let's Go podcast with Jim Gray (h/t Noah Nussbaum of the New York Post) that he wants to "play football and be left the f--k alone."

For his part, Kubiak has made it clear that he wants the five-time Pro Bowler to remain in the fold telling reporters, "We want him to be a part of our success going forward. There's no doubt about that. He's one of the best players in the NFL. So, that's a no-brainer to get to work with Maxx and to see him continue to have success with this organization."

Leonard has spent the past three seasons in Vegas, serving as defensive line coach in 2023 and 2024 before being elevated to run game coordinator in addition to his DL coach duties in 2025.

The Raiders ranked 17th against the run last season, allowing 116.8 points per game. They were also 14th in total defense and 25th in scoring defense.

Their defensive numbers were respectable when considering that the Raiders were tied for the worst record in the NFL in 2025 at 3-14.

Prior to his time in Las Vegas, Leonard was the New York Giants' defensive assistant coach, assistant defensive line coach and assistant linebacker coach from 2013 to 2018.

Then, he was a linebackers coach, assistant defensive line coach and outside linebackers coach with the Miami Dolphins from 2019 to 2021, and the Baltimore Ravens' outside linebackers coach in 2022.

Leonard was on staff with now-Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald in Baltimore in 2022 when Macdonald was the team's offensive coordinator.

With Kubiak coaching under Macdonald this past season, he is elevating a coach with knowledge of the type of defense he likes to run.