Klint Kubiak gives defensive coordinator Rob Leonard a vote of confidence

Published November 9, 2026 08:19 PM The Raiders defense allowed 38 points in the loss to the 49ers on Sunday, the sixth consecutive game of giving up 30-plus points. But coach Klint Kubiak said Monday that he does not anticipate changes to the defense, giving defensive coordinator Rob Leonard a vote of confidence.“In fact, I see us doing the things we said we’re going to do [but] better,” Kubiak said, via Ryan McFadden of ESPN. “Stand behind, Rob. Stand behind our defensive staff. Stand behind our players. And I think the world wants someone’s head on the platter every time things don’t go right. But the way that I see it is that we brought people here for a reason: to get a job done and develop players for the long haul.”The Raiders ranked eighth in points allowed (18 ppg) and 11th in yards (316.8 ypg) in the team’s 3-0 start. Since Week 4, Las Vegas is last in points allowed (35.7 ppg), rushing yards allowed (168.7) and defensive efficiency (17.54) and 29th in sacks (nine).The Raiders have lost five of their past six games.“I have seen it work. Just not for four quarters,” Kubiak said of his defense. “As a group, it’s putting four quarters of football together no matter who’s the opponent. You play a damn good offense in San Francisco; there’s got to be a happy medium somewhere between the first half and second half.”