Klint Kubiak promoting ex-Pete Carroll assistant to Raiders defensive coordinator

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 17: Defensive line coach Rob Leonard of the Las Vegas Raiders speaks to players before a preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The first major coordinator hire for former Seattle Seahawks play-caller and Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak does not involve anyone from Mike Macdonald's staff. Instead, he's opted to promote someone who was on Pete Carroll's Raiders staff.

With Patrick Graham leaving the Raiders to be DC of the Pittsburgh Steelers, it looks like his successor will be run game coordinator/defensive line coach Rob Leonard.

Raiders are finalizing a deal to promote run game coordinator/defensive line coach Rob Leonard to defensive coordinator, per sources. Leonard worked closely last season with Pro Bowl DE Maxx Crosby, whose future in Las Vegas remains uncertain. pic.twitter.com/lzrNvlTzIp

- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 14, 2026

The Raiders interviewed Seahawks safeties coach Jeff Howard prior to this impending promotion. Any loose thought of defensive backs coach Karl Scott getting a DC gig elsewhere has already been put to bed.

Leonard joined Vegas in 2023 under Josh McDaniels and was one of the few retained by Coach Carroll after Antonio Pierce was fired at the end of 2024. For as bad as the Raiders were, their run defense was one of their few strengths.

The Raiders also hired Joe Woods as pass game coordinator, having previously worked with him when they were on the New Orleans Saints.

I think what we can get at is there's a high probability that the Seahawks will not have many (if any) current Mike Macdonald assistants defect to Vegas to join Kubiak, which is great news in terms of staff continuity for the Super Bowl champion Seahawks.