Leonard takes on his first defensive coaching job in the NFL. In 2013, he landed his first coaching gig with the New York Giants as a defensive assistant coach. After the 2018 season, Leonard left for Miami and played multiple roles with the Dolphins from 2019 to 2021. He spent one season with John Harbaugh in Baltimore as the outside linebackers coach in 2022.
The Raiders moved on from defensive coordinator Patrick Graham after a 3-14 record in 2025. Graham joined Mike McCarthy’s staff in Pittsburgh as the Steelers’ defensive coordinator.
Now Leonard gets a chance to work with a defense that struggled to contain a quarterback. Las Vegas was 25th in points per game (25.4) and 24th in sacks. It will be a turnaround for Leonard, but free agency and April’s draft provide an opportunity to bolster his defensive unit.
The Raiders have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Many expect Las Vegas to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, but during Kubiak’s opening press conference, he said there is still film to look at before making a final decision.
Regardless, Kubiak and the Raiders will begin that process in the coming weeks. For now, however, Las Vegas has found its defensive coordinator in Leonard.