The Raiders ended the 2023 season with lots of momentum after Antonio Pierce took over as interim head coach, finally incomes the job outright due to his efficiency. Sadly, 2024 didn’t go his approach, and no matter how a lot of that ought to fall on him, Pierce is finally biting the bullet.
In accordance with Ian Rapaport of NFL Community, the Raiders have determined to fireplace Pierce after only one full season because the workforce’s head coach:
The #Raiders have fired coach Antonio Pierce following a making an attempt season, regardless of a flurry on the finish, per me, @TomPelissero and @MikeGarafolo.
One and performed for Pierce, and Las Vegas is open as soon as once more. pic.twitter.com/DKt3AQKrmW
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 7, 2025
Following the Raiders’ season finale, Pierce declined to handle his job standing, which had been in query for weeks. In the end, the Raiders completed a disappointing 4-13 on the season, which included a 10-game shedding streak after coming into 2024 with hopes of a playoff run. As an alternative, this workforce was snakebitten from the beginning.
The workforce couldn’t herald a brand new franchise quarterback, as a substitute signing journeyman Gardner Minshew who competed with second-year man Aidan O’Connell for the job. Neither man impressed a lot confidence or carried out significantly better than common, which doomed the Raiders as it’s unattainable to win with out the proper man beneath heart, and Pierce can hardly be faulted for the quarterback scenario.
Then there have been the accidents that harm the workforce immensely, particularly on protection, with free agent signing defensive deal with Christian Wilkins seeing his season finish after simply 5 video games. Star defensive finish Maxx Crosby missed 5 video games, whereas cornerbacks Jakorian Bennett and Nate Hobbs additionally missed a number of weeks as effectively.
Regardless of this, to not point out the Davante Adams drama in the beginning of the season that finally led to him being traded, the Raiders nonetheless performed very exhausting and have been aggressive in quite a few video games, as Pierce clearly by no means misplaced the locker room. However finally the Raiders really feel that he isn’t the particular person to guide them again to competition.
Proprietor Mark Davis is anticipated to lean on minority proprietor Tom Brady with this resolution, and there have already been rumors on potential names who may change Pierce, with former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel being chief amongst them. Whoever the Raiders determine, they need to nail this decide to lastly get this franchise again towards being one of many NFL’s elite groups.
Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham drawing curiosity from groups
With Antonio Pierce gone, there might be different questions on different members of his workers being retained. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham had his unit enjoying at a good stage regardless of the accidents, however his contract is up, and he’s already drawing curiosity from different groups.
Graham is reportedly anticipated to interview for the defensive coordinator place with the Cincinnati Bengals and can be a candidate for the Jacksonville Jaguars head teaching job. Now with Pierce fired, it might appear probably that Graham might be gone as effectively.
