New coach, personnel motivate Raiders' defense to make impact

New coach, personnel motivate Raiders' defense to make impact By Case Keefer Friday, Sept. 11, 2026 | 2 a.m. One of the archetypal moments came when Raiders star edge rusher Maxx Crosby lined up opposite newly signed free‑agent linebacker Quay Walker during summer workouts, laughed, and drew a puzzled look from the 6‑foot‑4, 240‑pound Walker. “What are you laughing at, bro?” Walker asked. Crosby, listed at 6‑foot‑5, 255 pounds, replied, “I’ve ne'er seen a linebacker that big. I’ve ne'er played with a linebacker that looks similar the size of me.” Walker shot back, “No, bro, it’s going to beryllium different.” The Raiders’ defense has remained comparatively steady over the past four seasons despite the upheaval surrounding it. The unit became the backbone of the squad under former defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, who endured three different head coaches before departing for the same role with the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason. In his place steps former defensive coordinator Rob Leonard, who retains several of Graham’s principles while overhauling many others. Expect the Raiders’ scheme to resemble the Seattle Seahawks’ defense that captured a Super Bowl with unconventional alignments and disguised coverages. Before arriving in Las Vegas, Leonard served under current Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald on the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive staff. That background aligns well with Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak, who was Macdonald’s offensive coordinator with the Seahawks last season. A core tenet of Leonard’s approach is generating consistent pressure from the front line without relying heavily on blitzes—a tactic that should allow Crosby to flourish as one of the league’s premier pass rushers. Many of Crosby’s long‑standing wishes for the defense were fulfilled this offseason, making it difficult to pinpoint the single biggest development, though his rescinded trade to the Ravens looms large. Crosby has praised Leonard since the latter assumed the position coach role in 2023. Meanwhile, longtime running mate Malcolm Koonce has continued to express confidence in Crosby despite injuries and uneven performance. The Raiders re‑signed Koonce to a one‑year, $11 million contract and added former Indianapolis Colts first‑round pick Kwity Paye on a three‑year, $48 million deal at the edge‑rusher spot. After years of relying on inexpensive linebacker talent, the club splurged at the position. General manager John Spytek awarded former University of Georgia teammates Walker—previously with the Green Bay Packers—and Nakobe Dean, a former Philadelphia Eagle, three‑year contracts valued at roughly $40 million apiece. Dean will wear the designated green‑dot helmet on the field to receive one‑way communication from the coaches, establishing himself as the defensive signal‑caller alongside Crosby. Leonard described the duo, saying, “Confidence, a small spot of swagger,” Leonard said in describing Dean and Walker. “They’re just the real essence of football players. They’ll call you out on BS, and they see things for what they are.” Crosby noted that Baltimore had declared him unable to pass a physical after a groin issue and sent him back to Las Vegas. The Ravens had initially offered two first‑round picks in exchange for him. Crosby disputed that he was ever off schedule to report at 100 percent for Week 1, and has since re‑committed to the Raiders, vowing that Leonard’s new scheme will bring the best out of him. While Crosby said he will no longer discuss the trade’s aftermath publicly, he sometimes cannot resist reflecting on it. “Of course it was added motivation,” Crosby said. “But it’s pretty at the same time. I love being doubted. I love being told I can’t do something because I know I’m going to go to the end of the world and make it happen.”