Raiders and Patrick Graham are both benefiting greatly from a needed reset

If nothing else, Patrick Graham was a survivor during his time with the Las Vegas Raiders. He was the defensive coordinator for three head coaches in four seasons, yet managed to coax a respectable effort out of his unit more often than not.

From the start, it was odd that Pete Carroll retained Graham heading into last season. There really couldn't be a bigger difference in defensive philosophies between the two, and it eventually became clear that the Raiders ran what Carroll wanted, whether it best fit the personnel's skill set or not.

There have been subsequent indications that players were generally confused about who was running the defensive show between Carroll and Graham, as yet another indicator of the chaos that took place in 2025.

Late in the season, Graham said it all about his relationship with Carroll by saying nothing at all. Of course, a fourth new head coach finally brought a change at defensive coordinator, and Graham landed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the same role under Mike McCarthy.

The Raiders' defense needed a freshening up, and with the promotion of Rob Leonard from defensive line coach to defensive coordinator came a shift in scheme. One week in, so far so good, as the Raiders were aggressive, innovative and generally more fun to watch against the Miami Dolphins.

But a change can be mutually beneficial, and through one week it looks to be for Graham, too.

Patrick Graham started his post-Pete Carroll cleanse immediately

In ESPN's NFL Power Rankings heading into Week 2, a non-quarterback newcomer from each team was highlighted for their Week 1 performance. For the Steelers, Graham was actually the newcomer who was highlighted.

"Even with Falcons do-everything back Bijan Robinson racking up 173 scrimmage yards, it's hard to point to anyone other than Graham. The Steelers' pass rush dominated third-string quarterback Cooper Rush, and the buy-in from the Steelers' veterans was evident. T.J. Watt, who admitted he was stubborn about the idea of moving around in the old scheme, did just that Sunday. Not only did Watt have a pick-six, but he also recorded a sack from each side of the D-line. Graham passed his first test with flying colors."

Facing a third-string quarterback who may also have been less than 100% healthy is an important caveat to the defensive performance Graham led in Week 1. But you've still got to get it done on the field.

Rush has proven capable when he has played in the past, and Graham has apparently gotten through to T.J. Watt about the benefits of lining up on both edges.

In an old school, early in Michael Jordan's career sense, Bijan Robinson is always going to "get his." In Week 1, he accounted for 173 of Atlanta's 238 total yards. But the Steelers, even without top cornerback Joey Porter Jr., shut everyone else down. Good for Graham.

Raiders are still better off with Rob Leonard as a fresh defensive voice

Leonard is a first-time defensive coordinator, so he has room to grow and evolve in ways Graham likely won't at this point in his career as an older coach with more of an entrenched viewpoint and honed system.

A deeper look at Week 1 film shows the Raiders doing things that the most innovative defensive schemes around the league do, with full buy-in and a commitment to minute details from the players. Just take a look at this play from Week 1:

Raiders fans can, and should, root for Graham to succeed from afar, so long as the Steelers don't eventually get in their way. But Leonard is a necessary fresh voice for the defense, in alignment with the reset that naturally comes with a first-year head coach. Graham needed a reset as well, it seems.

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