Whereas Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh is believed to be “at or close to the highest” of the Raiders’ listing of head teaching candidates, interim head coach Antonio Pierce continues to obtain assist from many within the group. One of many crew’s stars is even threatening a commerce request if Pierce doesn’t earn the full-time job. In line with NFL Community’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, edge rusher Maxx Crosby is predicted to “discover a commerce request” if Pierce isn’t promoted.
Whereas a lot of Crosby’s teammates don’t have the sway to make an analogous demand, the locker room is “publicly united” behind their interim head coach. The gamers consider Pierce has earned the chance to “proceed constructing upon the tradition and vitality he inbuilt Las Vegas this season.” After taking on for Josh McDaniels, Pierce helped information the Raiders to a 5-4 file to finish the 2023 marketing campaign.
Raiders gamers have frequently been supportive of their interim head coach ever since he’s taken over. Wideout Davante Adams instructed reporters that he’d “run by a wall” for his coach, and Crosby has been vocal about Pierce’s function in rebuilding the Raiders’ tradition.
“It’s legendary,” Crosby stated just lately, by way of Schefter. “When you may have the fitting tradition, a man like A.P. that embraces the historical past of the Raiders, it’s particular. … A ton of legends [visit] constantly as a result of the quantity of respect they’ve for him. So it makes you, as a participant, wish to go on the market and present who you might be. what I imply? You wish to be at that stage in the future.”
A Crosby commerce request would current a serious storyline heading into the offseason. The previous fourth-round decide has changed into a star throughout his 5 seasons with the group, culminating in a profession season in 2023. Crosby earned second-team All-Professional honors this previous 12 months after ending with 14.5 sacks, 31 QB hits, and a league-leading 23 tackles for loss. The pass-rusher is hooked up to a four-year, practically $100M contract that he signed with the Raiders in 2022.
This inner assist for Pierce has led some sources to consider that the interim HC is a shoo-in to earn the full-time gig. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reviews that Pierce is the “main candidate” for the job, with one supply saying they’d be “blown away if Antonio weren’t the decide.” NFL Community’s Mike Garafolo provides that proprietor Mark Davis has been impressed by Pierce’s potential to impress the squad.
Assuming the Raiders are severe about retaining Pierce, they’ll wish to decide sooner quite than later. Per Josina Anderson, Pierce is ready to satisfy with the Titans right this moment about their head teaching job. After this information broke, Crosby was fast to tweet “#HireAP.”
Nevertheless, there’s additionally a transparent Harbaugh camp inside the Raiders group, a sign that the job may finally come right down to the 2 candidates. For what it’s price, the Raiders have but to conduct any interviews for the job, and the group is predicted to rent a GM earlier than shifting on to their teaching emptiness.
Nevertheless, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports activities factors out that the group must be cautious of portray this as a two-horse race. If coaches consider Pierce or Harbaugh will finally be the selection, the Raiders might have a tricky time getting these candidates within the constructing for interviews. Mark Maske of the Washington Publish factors out that the Raiders will nonetheless must adjust to the NFL’s minority interviewing necessities, which might require Davis and co. to “conduct in-person interviews with no less than two minority candidates from exterior the group.”
