Antonio Pierce didn’t have to clear a high bar when he filled in for the much-maligned Josh McDaniels. But as interim coach, he did, winning five of nine games with an overachieving Las Vegas Raiders roster. As a result, Pierce is making Las Vegas’ head coaching search much more complicated.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, Crosby will reportedly request a trade if the Raiders don’t promote Pierce and reward him with a permanent head coaching title. That’s right. The two-time Second-Team All-Pro is so sold on Pierce’s coaching aptitude that he’d apparently be willing to leave Las Vegas and terrorize the defensive edge for someone else. In fact, he seems to believe Pierce is the person who will finally pull the Raiders out of their endless “rebuild.”
Needless to say, Crosby probably isn’t bluffing.
“Crosby, one of the respected leaders and sounding boards for Mark Davis, has been through rebuilds in the past, doesn’t want to go through another one again, and believes Pierce has earned the right to continue building upon the culture and energy he built in Las Vegas this season.”
Whether Crosby actually follows through or even gets his wish should the Raiders move in a different direction is a massive leap. But if a superstar like him is willing to stake out his future with the Silver and Black over a coach, then owner Mark Davis should be listening. Not only did the Raiders close the 2023 season on a promising 5-4 run, but Pierce added some impressive notches to his coaching belt. An upset win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas stands out, as does a 63-point humiliation of the rival Los Angeles Chargers.
Pierce has earned the opportunity to see through the Raiders’ hopeful rise to prominence. Crosby knows it, and Las Vegas would do well to accommodate him.
This was how Twitter reacted
https://t.co/BcylUDje23 pic.twitter.com/B3JZx9VdWh
— Sosa Kremenjas (@QBsMVP) January 13, 2024
I actually really like this from Crosby. The whole team seemed to love Pierce and his career is being wasted there. He wins either way https://t.co/g6o7gWYVQr
— Aiden (@GarmourBets) January 13, 2024
When you’re Maxx Crosby good you start calling your own shots https://t.co/hNMZzVo2w3
— CrownPicks (@CrownPicks_) January 13, 2024
Dear Mark Davis,
You shouldn't take this from a player. Show him who is in charge and trade him away.
Sincerely,
Bears fans https://t.co/CHaCPBkUrC
— Nick Whalen (@_NickWhalen) January 13, 2024
I swear if we fumble this. https://t.co/xTv7UydODi pic.twitter.com/kl9nnwqWId
— alexis (@alexisfromvegas) January 13, 2024
The fact that this hire has had to take so long it got this far is ridiculous. Pierce should’ve been rehired before the season even ended. https://t.co/Gdzo4UMmQw
— Makuch (@johnmakuch) January 13, 2024
Imagine… https://t.co/M5Jdd2wBhf pic.twitter.com/WNKsqBT8am
— Sterling Bennett (@49ers_Access) January 13, 2024
Ask yourself what has Maxx done in his carreer to be like this? He is a top 5 edge player. He is great. But he's never even won a Defensive player of the year. I thought no one player is bigger than the team. https://t.co/w28RkEMo5w
— Derek Evans (@DerekEvans20) January 13, 2024
Antonio Pierce is the only option for the Raiders head coaching job after Maxx Crosby told Mark Davis he would demand a trade if he didn't hire AP
— Raiders Report Mitchell Renz (@MitchellRenz365) January 13, 2024
