Don’t Overlook Rob Leonard — And Why McCoy Matters More Than You Think

WHY KUBIAK’S OFFENSE IS A NIGHTMARE TO DEFEND

Klint Kubiak is officially the Raiders’ head coach — and last week we broke down his offense with Cody Alexander, so you guys already know the structure of the scheme. But what actually makes it so difficult to stop? For that answer, we turned to someone who’s faced it firsthand. In the latest Silver & Black Sports Network Podcast, I’m joined by former Raiders linebacker Kirk Morrison to break down what it’s really like trying to defend the Shanahan/Kubiak system. Kirk went up against Gary Kubiak and Mike Shanahan’s outside zone attack during his playing days, and he explains how the offense stresses linebackers, dictates terms to a defense, and creates advantages in both the run and pass game. We also connect the dots to the current Raiders roster — including what it means for projected top pick Fernando Mendoza, Ashton Jeanty, JPJ, and the offensive line room. If you want a true X’s-and-O’s look at how this offense could reshape the Raiders, this one’s worth the watch.

MIKE MCCOY TABBED AS ASSISTANT HEAD COACH

Less than 24 hours after the Seahawks wrapped up their Super Bowl celebration, Klint Kubiak was already getting to work building out his staff. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Raiders plan to hire Mike McCoy as their assistant head coach.

It’s become common around the league for younger or first-time head coaches to bring in a veteran assistant, and I love it. Having someone who’s been there and done that helps a first-timer navigate the rollercoaster that is life as an NFL head coach — especially in Year 1. McCoy most recently served as an offensive assistant with the Tennessee Titans, where he stepped in as interim head coach after the team fired Brian Callahan in October.

So what does McCoy bring to Vegas? Experience, for starters. He’s been coaching in the league in some capacity since 2000, including four seasons as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. That’s a wealth of knowledge for Kubiak to lean on. He’s also familiar with him. Klint served as an offensive assistant under McCoy when he was the offensive coordinator in Denver back in 2017.

McCoy also arguably got more out of Cam Ward than Callahan did before the change in Tennessee, meaning he’s fresh off helping develop a top pick. That experience could prove valuable as Kubiak looks to do the same with Fernando Mendoza in Las Vegas, who, at this point, we all expect to be the selection at No. 1 overall.

WHAT ABOUT THE DC?

I’ve said it from the jump — if the Raiders were going to hire a young, offensive-minded head coach, then the defensive coordinator hire becomes just as important if this thing is really going to turn around.

This week, we learned that Raiders defensive line coach and run game coordinator Rob Leonard will interview for the DC job. It’s an interesting move. He’s been with the team since 2023, meaning he’s survived multiple staffs. He’s highly respected around the league, and he’s well-liked by Maxx Crosby. That matters.

The big question is: what would he run?

Leonard worked under Patrick Graham in Las Vegas, spent three seasons under Brian Flores in Miami, and had a year with Mike Macdonald in Baltimore in 2022. We all saw the struggles Graham had getting things rolling here, but I think he’ll remind people in Pittsburgh that he’s a strong defensive mind. And learning under Flores and Macdonald means exposure to some of the best in the league at disguising coverages and dialing up pressure.

Also, as our buddy Chris Reed (@ChrisReed_NFL) pointed out on X (Twitter), Leonard has coached linebackers at different points in his career. He handled the LBs in 2019, 2021, and 2022 under Flores and Macdonald. When you coach linebackers, you’re the only position coach who has to coach for the front and the coverage. That’s a ton of responsibility. So he wasn’t just along for the ride — he was deeply involved in the structure of some of the best defenses in the league over the past few years.

Blend all those coaching influences together, and you’ve got a really intriguing option.

Now, I know what some of you are thinking. Tyree Wilson hasn’t developed consistently. Malcolm Koonce hasn’t become a dependable running mate opposite Maxx. A few former Raiders have left and found more success elsewhere. Fair points.

But Leonard is a heck of a coach, and the work he’s done with Maxx shouldn’t be overlooked. His resume before coming to Vegas also speaks for itself. So, let’s be honest — the Raiders have had a lot of issues over the years. I don’t think Leonard is one of them.

Whether he gets the job or not, he’s someone they should strongly consider keeping in the building.

Cody Alexander also laid out a strong case for Seattle’s DB coach and passing game coordinator Karl Scott, and I’m on board there, too. If you missed it, check out last week’s newsletter for more on why he’d make sense.

There’s also smoke around Jim Schwartz, who would be more of a “set it and forget it” hire at DC. That would likely cost draft capital, so I don’t see it going down that way — but anything can happen. And don’t forget about Joe Woods, currently the Raiders’ pass game coordinator and DB coach. He was the defensive coordinator in New Orleans when Kubiak was the OC there, so there’s history between those two as well.

What about the offensive side of the ball? For more on who Kubiak could be eyeing there, keep scrolling.

REQUIRED READING

For this week’s required reading, we’re featuring a piece from Shawn Syed of Sumer Sports. It’s a couple of years old, but it takes a deep dive into the foundations of the Shanahan scheme. Yes, Klint Kubiak is his own man, but both he and his father’s system have deep roots in that Shanahan tree. So while this isn’t a direct breakdown of Kubiak’s offenses in Seattle or New Orleans, it’s an excellent way to build a foundation for understanding the principles behind the Kubiak/Shanahan approach.

More importantly, it matters for the Raiders right now. This article can help you understand how Klint’s scheme might fit the current roster — and give you a clearer lens to develop your own take on how it could take shape in Vegas once he sinks his teeth into this group. Definitely worth your time.

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POACHING FRISMAN FROM SEATTLE?

Kubiak will call plays in Las Vegas, but he still needs to hire an offensive coordinator — and he’s already got at least one interview lined up.

Tom Pelissero reported that the Raiders will interview Seattle wide receivers coach Frisman Jackson for the OC job. Jackson has been with the Seahawks the last two seasons, and the results speak for themselves. Jackson Smith-Njigba broke through in 2024 with 100 catches for 1,130 yards and six touchdowns, then followed that up with 119 receptions for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns this season, earning Offensive Player of the Year honors.

And it’s not just JSN. Jackson has done strong work everywhere he’s been. During his time with the Panthers and Steelers, he helped DJ Moore eclipse 1,100 receiving yards in back-to-back seasons, guided Robbie Chosen past the 1,000-yard mark in 2020, and in 2023 helped George Pickens top 1,100 yards in Pittsburgh. That’s a pretty impressive résumé.

Meanwhile, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Seattle is interviewing four in-house candidates to replace Kubiak as offensive coordinator: Andrew Janocko, Jake Peetz, Justin Outten, and Mack Brown. Janocko was someone I thought Kubiak might target for Vegas, but it’s tough to compete with the Seahawks if that job comes with play-calling duties for the reigning Super Bowl champs. In Vegas, Kubiak would still be the primary playcaller.

So keep an eye on how things shake out in Seattle. What happens up there could directly impact how Kubiak fills out his staff here in Las Vegas.

FANSHOTZ FRIDAY

“FanShotz Friday”

By now, you have seen the phenomenal photos we’ve been using in many of our newsletters. They’re some of the best shots you’ll find of your favorite team, captured through the lens of our friend Arnie Bazemore of Fanshotz.com. Every Friday, we’ll feature Arnie’s favorite Raiders shot of the week that he captures at practice or on game day.

This week, we’re featuring a shot Arnie snagged of Maxx Crosby. His name has been in the headlines a lot lately, so it felt fitting. I’m not sure how this whole thing ultimately plays out — and yeah, I get the “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” angle — but I still don’t see the Raiders trading Maxx. And I don’t see him forcing his way out, either.

Klint Kubiak said he wants Maxx to be a big part of what he’s building in Vegas. Sure, that’s the expected answer — but I believed him when he said it. And after the team moved on from Pete Carroll, John Spytek also made it clear that too many good players walked out the door last year. Add all of that up, and it feels like the Raiders will do everything they can to keep Maxx in Silver and Black.

Check out Arnie’s work at his site linked above and reach out if you’re interested in working with him. He’s a great guy and has been so supportive of me over the years when I was at NBC here in Vegas, and he’s come along for the ride with Silver & Black Sports Network, too.

WHAT’S NEXT?

We’ll see you on Tuesday for our next episode of the Silver & Black Sports Network podcast. Things could move quick as Kubiak tries to build out his staff so we’ll surely have plenty to talk about in regards to how things are taking shape for the Raiders.

Catch ya next time,