The Las Vegas Raiders ended their 10-game losing streak with a Week 16 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but with it came a type of loss as well.
The Raiders moved to 3-12 and took themselves out of the No. 1 slot in the 2025 NFL Draft, potentially losing out on a franchise quarterback the team so desperately needs.
Head coach Antonio Pierce was proud of the victory after the game and said he wasn’t concerned about the draft pick, but a recent report has emerged about his future with the team.
“The belief in league circles is that Antonio Pierce’s future as the head coach remains in serious doubt,” NFL Network insider Tom Pellissero said, via Ian Rapoport.
The Insiders on @NFLGameDay Kickoff with @MikeGarafolo and @TomPelissero: #Patriots still view Jerod Mayo as their leader; #Giants have two key (and separate) decisions to make; Future of #Raiders coach Antonio Pierce is in doubt. pic.twitter.com/ZmTwXVzmCs
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 28, 2024
Pelissero said the organization will make a full evaluation in the offseason with new minority owner Tom Brady involved in the discussions
He added that Pro Bowl pass rusher Maxx Crosby will be monitoring the situation closely, noting that even though he has said he wants to be a Raider for life, he also wants to win, hinting that he could push his way out of town if the offseason doesn’t inspire confidence about the future.
Pierce’s coaching has raised a lot of questions this season, but the reality is that the team needs a quarterback more than anything else, and defeating the Jaguars may have cost them Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders, who has been making not-so-subtle hints that he wants to be drafted by the Raiders.
It’s tough to see Pierce remaining the head coach after the season this team is having, but as Pelissero noted, that will be discussed in the offseason.
NEXT: Maxx Crosby Names The No.1 Threat In The NFL
