A New Era for the Raiders' Defense: Rob Leonard Steps Up as Coordinator!
Get ready, Raiders fans! The Silver and Black are ushering in a new chapter for their defense with the promotion of Rob Leonard to Defensive Coordinator. This move signals a strong belief in Leonard's ability to elevate the team's defensive performance, and frankly, the numbers from his previous roles speak for themselves!
Leonard is no stranger to the Raiders' locker room. This upcoming season marks his fourth year with the team, and he's already been instrumental in shaping the defense. Before taking the reins as Defensive Coordinator, he served as the Run Game Coordinator and Defensive Line Coach. This promotion isn't out of the blue; it's a testament to his consistent impact over his 16 years of coaching experience, with a significant 13 of those spent in the demanding NFL.
But here's where it gets interesting: In his first year as Run Game Coordinator in 2025, the Raiders' defense was a force to be reckoned with against the run. They tied for second in the league by allowing a mere 3.9 rushing yards per attempt and finished 17th overall in total rushing yards allowed with 1,986. Even more impressive, the defense ranked third in tackles for loss with a whopping 105. And who was a shining star in all this? None other than DE Maxx Crosby, who earned his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl selection with 10.0 sacks and an astounding 28 tackles for loss – the second-highest in the NFL!
Let's rewind to 2024. Leonard's guidance of the defensive line unit was remarkable. They recorded 20 passes defensed, the second-most in the NFL among D-line units. The team also racked up 38 total sacks, with a strong finish of 18 sacks in the last six games, tying for the fourth-most in the league during that stretch. What's truly remarkable is that despite facing injuries, 18 different players recorded at least a half-sack, tying for the most in the NFL and setting a new Raiders record for a single season! Maxx Crosby continued his dominant play, securing his fourth straight Pro Bowl with 45 tackles, 17 tackles for loss (tied for 6th in the NFL), 7.5 sacks, and 20 quarterback hits.
Going back to 2023, Leonard's first year with the Raiders saw the defense achieve 46 total sacks, tying for the 13th most in the NFL. This was also the most sacks the Silver and Black had recorded in a single season since 2010! Maxx Crosby was an absolute beast, leading the NFL in tackles for loss (23), ranking sixth in sacks (14.5), and earning his third-straight Pro Bowl and second-career AP Second Team All-Pro selection. And let's not forget DE Malcolm Koonce, who had a breakout season with a career-high 8.0 sacks, the second-most on the team and a remarkable feat for a player in their first three seasons.
And this is the part most people miss... Before joining the Raiders, Leonard spent 2022 with the Baltimore Ravens as an outside linebackers coach. His impact was immediate, helping Baltimore's defense rank in the top-5 in four key categories, including points allowed per game (18.5), defensive red zone TD percentage (46.4%), rushing yards per game (92.1), and third-down efficiency (34.9%). His unit combined for 19.5 sacks, with OLB Justin Houston notching 9.5 sacks and achieving a franchise first with three consecutive multi-sack games.
Prior to Baltimore, Leonard spent three years (2019-21) with the Miami Dolphins, where he held various roles. He led a linebacker corps that amassed 329 total tackles, 34 tackles for loss, and 19.5 sacks, while also contributing to 61 quarterback hits over that period. In 2021, rookie OLB Jaelan Phillips set a Dolphins rookie record with 8.5 sacks under Leonard's coaching.
His coaching journey also includes six seasons (2013-18) with the New York Giants. From 2013-16, he was part of a staff that transformed the Giants' defense from 32nd in yards allowed per game (420.3) to 10th (339.7) in just one year, even leading to an 11-5 record and a playoff berth in 2016! They also ranked eighth in the NFL in total defense in 2013.
Before his NFL career, Leonard coached at his alma mater, North Carolina State, from 2010-12 as a graduate assistant, helping the Wolfpack reach three consecutive bowl games. He even played for NC State, earning the Mike Hardy Award in 2008 for his exceptional play.
Now, with Rob Leonard at the helm of the Raiders' defense, the future looks incredibly promising. His track record of developing talent and implementing successful defensive schemes is undeniable. What are your thoughts on this promotion? Do you think Leonard is the right person to lead the Raiders' defense to new heights? Let us know in the comments below!
