In Week 16 of the 2023 NFL season, Antonio Pierce led the Las Vegas Raiders to a memorable 20-14 win against the Kansas City Chiefs. This result helped him secure the permanent Raiders head coaching position the following offseason.
However, Pierce hasn’t had much success since then. The Raiders are 2-9 this season and have lost their last seven games. They will play the Chiefs this upcoming week, and Pierce’s comments about his team stunned NFL fans.
NFL Fans Call Out Antonio Pierce for His Comments on Raiders
While talking about the matchup against the Chiefs, the Raiders head coach referred to his team as the worst in the league. “Let’s call a spade a spade,” said Pierce. “Best team in football against the worst team in football. Let’s change the narrative.”
Most fans on social media did not like Pierce’s comments, as they think it is inappropriate to call his team the worst in the league. Here’s how they reacted to it:
Bro trying to get fired
— Anthony Russo (@Anthony_Russo97)
“Calling your own team the worst in football is crazy,” said one fan.
Another fan added, “Pretty sure he’s getting fired.”
Please for the love of God get this loser away from the team https://t.co/YBrKN7De0M
— raidersTANKszn🏴☠️ (@raiderstankszn)
“Admitting that you are the worst team in football is wild,” said another fan.
“Well, he’s the worst coach in the league, so what do you expect,” wrote one fan.
Two wins that set two franchises back recently:
The Giants beating the Vikings in the playoffs which led them to extend Daniel Jones
The Raiders beating the Chiefs on Christmas last year, which led them to keeping Pierce for another season https://t.co/HqqkaAC7Yk
— Shaun Newkirk (@Shauncore)
Pierce went 5-4 as the Raiders’ interim head coach last season and played a big role in changing the franchise’s culture. Unfortunately, the organization’s decision not to improve the quarterback position this past offseason has returned to bite them.
Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell failed to prove that they could lead this team, ultimately resulting in Davante Adams’ trade to the New York Jets. Nobody knows whether Pierce will be the Raiders’ head coach next season, as the team could start over with a new head coach and quarterback.
Raiders Are in Prime Position To Draft Shedeur Sanders
Based on how they have played this year and their remaining contests, the Raiders have a 17.8% of securing the first overall pick, per the PFN Playoff Predictor. They will likely draft a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft, and all signs point to them getting Shedeur Sanders from Colorado.
Deion Sanders’ son is arguably the best quarterback of the upcoming draft class, and his social media activities have also hinted at his desire to play in Las Vegas.
Tom Brady is officially a minority owner of the Raiders, and he will likely have an influence on whatever the team decides to do in the draft and free agency. He has a great relationship with Sanders and will likely convince him to play for the Raiders if the AFC West franchise can draft him.
If the Raiders move on from Pierce, there will be speculation around Bill Belichick potentially getting the job. However, the franchise has dropped no hints of parting ways with its current head coach so far. Everyone around the team knows that the roster is not ready to win, and after missing out on Jayden Daniels in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Raiders need to get a quarterback next year to move in the right direction.