Overview
- Kubiak reaffirmed his support for defensive coordinator Rob Leonard after the Raiders’ 38-17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday and said he will not make a staff change at this time.
- The Raiders have surrendered 30 or more points in six straight games and would set a modern-era record with one more such outing, a streak that has intensified calls for accountability.
- Statistically the unit ranks at or near the bottom of the league, allowing about 29.8 points per game and leading the NFL in yards allowed, rushing yards yielded, and first downs given up.
- Leonard is a first-year play caller running an NFL defense for the first time and he said Kubiak’s vote of confidence was meaningful as he pushes for greater consistency from his players.
- Analysts say the failures stem from both scheme and personnel gaps, especially along the interior defensive line, so short-term tweaks may help but meaningful improvement likely depends on free-agent moves and the 2027 draft while isolated positives like 14 takeaways and Maxx Crosby’s pass rush provide limited hope.