INDIANAPOLIS — Klint Kubiak confirmed Wednesday that the Las Vegas Raiders will switch to a 3-4 base defense in 2026, a significant departure from the 4-3 scheme used under former defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.

“I do see us being a base 3-4 team,” Kubiak said at the NFL combine. “I see us being able to four down well. I think Robby can be really multiple with his fronts.”

The change, orchestrated by new defensive coordinator Rob Leonard, will require the Raiders to overhaul their personnel. The team will need to add depth at linebacker and find nose tackles capable of controlling the middle of the line.

Star defensive end Maxx Crosby could transition to edge linebacker if he remains with the team. Trade rumors have swirled around Crosby, but Kubiak emphasized the desire to keep him. “That’s a guy we really want on our team,” Kubiak said. “We want Maxx to be a Raider and the few interactions I’ve had with him have been very positive.”

Leonard, retained from the previous staff, has drawn from his experience under Mike Macdonald in Baltimore and Brian Flores in Miami. Kubiak said Leonard impressed him in the interview process. “He had a plan. He knew what he wanted to do and the type of players he wanted to do it with,” Kubiak said.

The decision to switch to a 3-4 was made collaboratively between Kubiak and Leonard. “We’re in this thing together,” Kubiak said. “As we get into free agency and the draft and see who our players are…you have to have a starting point and that to me would be a base 3-4.”