Raiders Retain Defensive Coordinator Joe Woods

Woods' track record of developing cornerbacks and limiting penalties makes him a valuable asset for the Raiders.

Feb. 19, 2026 at 8:39am

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The Las Vegas Raiders have decided to retain defensive coordinator Joe Woods, who previously worked with head coach Klint Kubiak during their time together with the New Orleans Saints. Woods has an extensive coaching history, having worked as a defensive coordinator for several teams, including the Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns, and New Orleans Saints. Despite some ups and downs in his career, Woods is known for his ability to develop cornerbacks and limit penalties in his defensive units.

Why it matters

The Raiders' defense struggled in 2025, but Woods' expertise in the secondary could help improve the team's pass defense. His aggressive coaching style and emphasis on attacking the ball in coverage could also benefit the Raiders' overall defensive performance. Additionally, Woods' familiarity with Kubiak's system and coaching philosophy could help the two work well together to improve the Raiders' defense.

The details

Woods has a long history of coaching in the NFL, starting as a quality control coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004-2005 before spending several years with the Minnesota Vikings as a defensive backs coach. He then had stints as the defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns, and New Orleans Saints, with varying degrees of success. Despite some ups and downs, Woods is known for his ability to develop cornerbacks and limit penalties in his defensive units. In his one season with the Raiders in 2025, the team's cornerback unit saw a significant improvement, with Eric Stokes and Darien Porter both playing well under Woods' guidance.

  • Woods was hired as the Raiders' defensive coordinator in 2025.
  • In 2025, the Raiders' cornerback unit saw a significant improvement under Woods' guidance.

The players

Joe Woods

A veteran NFL defensive coordinator with experience working with head coach Klint Kubiak. Woods is known for his ability to develop cornerbacks and limit penalties in his defensive units.

Eric Stokes

A standout cornerback for the Raiders in 2025, who saw a significant improvement in his play under Woods' guidance.

Darien Porter

A rookie cornerback for the Raiders in 2025 who also played well under Woods' coaching.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The Raiders will look to build on the improvements made in the secondary under Woods' guidance and address other areas of need on the defense, such as linebacker, in the upcoming offseason.

The takeaway

The Raiders' decision to retain Joe Woods as defensive coordinator is a smart move, as his track record of developing cornerbacks and limiting penalties could help improve the team's overall defensive performance. With Woods' familiarity with Kubiak's system and coaching philosophy, the two could work well together to turn the Raiders' defense around.