Crosby, Adams endorse Antonio Pierce as next Raiders coach

Jan 5, 2024, 11:45 AM

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 14: Interim head coach Antonio Pierce of the Las Vegas Raiders slaps hands with defensive end Maxx Crosby #98 as he comes off the field after the defense stopped the Los Angeles Chargers on a third-down play in the third quarter of their game at Allegiant Stadium on December 14, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 63-21. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

BY DIGIT AL

Sactown Sports

Sunday will be the final day Antonio Pierce will have the title of interim head coach for the Las Vegas Raiders.

Whether it means he’ll shed the title and become the head coach or the team moves in another direction is still to be determined. But if it’s up to two of the team’s captains, Pierce will lead the team next season and for years to come.

“It’s obviously who I want, that’s my vote, and I’ve been vocal about that. That’s basically how the whole locker room feels, and with good reason,” wide receiver Davante Adams said earlier in the week. “I mean, he’s come in and done a great job, and he’s continued to win us over. It’s not just the comfortable thing. I think having AP [Antonio Pierce] here will be a big deal for this organization.”

The #Raiders should hire Antonio Pierce as the HC, I'm with Davante Adams here.
pic.twitter.com/BoqrCVSUHi

— Sanjit T. (@Sanjit__T) January 3, 2024

Pierce replaced Josh McDaniels and has since led the Silver & Black to a 4-4 record, and could finish the 2023 season with a .500 record if they beat the Denver Broncos.

Adams went on to say Pierce “embodies” what it means to be a Raider. And that was apparent in the interim coach’s introductory press conference when he proclaimed he was “born a Raider” and “was rolling with NWA, talking straight out of Compton, rocking Raider hats.”

Speaking with ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez, Raiders’ edge rusher Maxx Crosby echoed Adams’ remarks, saying he wants “stability and consistency.”

“There’s only 32 [NFL] head coaches in the whole world,” Crosby told ESPN. “so you’ve got to find a leader of men. And when you’ve got one of them in the building currently, I don’t know why you would let them go.”