LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Among the many unknowns surrounding the 2026 Las Vegas Raiders, the defense may carry the most questions — and it is led by the longest-tenured coach on the staff.
Rob Leonard has been with the Raiders since 2023 but enters this season in a new role as defensive coordinator. Leonard said his approach to the unit mirrors what he brought to the defensive line room.
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“I just try to be myself,” Leonard said. “Like I said, I try to coach the defense with the same mentality I coached the D-line. Very proud of the brotherhood, the team-first approach in the D-line room and trying to create that with the entire unit has been a lot of fun.”
Defining the defense
Throughout the offseason, Leonard and his players have faced the same question: what will this defense look like on Sundays?
Linebacker Nakobe Dean, one of the team’s prized free agent signings in March, offered a brief answer.
“It’s a multiple defense where a lot of guys can do a lot of things,” Dean said.
Defensive lineman Kwity Paye said Leonard’s emphasis on player communication has shaped the early tone of camp.
“He loves a player-led defense — he wants us to talk and lead,” Paye said. “So, in the meeting rooms it’s very productive with the defensive line talking, players talking. Yeah, it’s been great.”
Leonard said scheme alone does not determine a defense’s success.
“It’s a style of play. That’s the red blinking meter,” Leonard said. “No scheme will save you in this league. If you’re having M.E.’s — mental errors — if you’re not playing hard, if you’re not taking the ball away, those are like the red blinking meter that something’s not right. You’re doing too much, or guys can’t do what you’re asking. And so, as long as the execution and the effort and the fundamentals are right, then you know you’re headed in the right direction. But that’s kind of a home base for me. So, the style of play.”
Dean tasked with leading on the field
Dean is expected to serve as both a defensive leader and Leonard’s on-field communicator. With a few practices into camp, Dean pointed to one attribute standing out within the unit.
“How hungry we are,” Dean said. “We’re hungry, there is no pride, everybody can be held accountable, everybody is being held accountable to do their jobs but go above and beyond and work every day to be the best version of ourselves. That’s the biggest thing — everybody is hungry; everybody is intelligent.”
Paye said the early results on the field have reflected that approach.
“I think we’ve been playing good ball, coming out fast, playing really physical and guys are learning the defense more and more and just getting comfortable,” Paye said.
The Raiders have a day off Wednesday before returning to the field Thursday. Their first preseason game is Aug. 13 against the Arizona Cardinals.
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