The Raiders are in a familiar position with an interim coach, little to play for, and an uncertain future.
Las Vegas has an interim general manager, too, in GM Champ Kelly. Raiders interim coach Antonio Pierce won his first two games at the helm but has dropped the last three.
Does Raiders owner Mark Davis think his team looks better after he fired ex-coach Josh McDaniels? Do Pierce and Kelly have a shot at returning next season? Davis told The Athletic’s Tashan Reed that they do, and he’d like them to earn permanent roles.
You’ve said you want to remain open-minded going into this coaching search. What does that look like as you go into the hiring process?
It’s wide open. But it’s tough at the same time because I do have Antonio and Champ in those positions, and I’d like for them to get the job. So, if I start to feel like that’s definitely the way I’m going to go — which I’m not there — then I don’t want to mislead people in the interview process. So, it’s going to be a really interesting dynamic in trying to keep my mind open to the potential hirings.
Davis also told Reed he learns something new about Pierce and Kelly every day. They have an advantage against any competition if they can prove to Davis they have what it takes to make the Raiders winners again.
Davis added that Pierce and Kelly aren’t necessarily a packaged deal and he’s keeping track of other potential coaches and GMs.
I don’t believe you can tie Antonio and Champ at the hip. It’s not both or none. It could be one or the other. I just don’t know. I’m not making a commitment right now. So, in the process, I’m getting a lot of calls from people who have clients who they feel would be great for the job. I’m banking those names, and we’ll see what happens once the season is over.
One can only wonder who is calling Davis on behalf of other candidates. Las Vegas is an attractive coaching destination, especially with a high draft pick in the cards.
But it appears Davis is giving Pierce and Kelly every opportunity to stick around. The players have responded to their leadership thus far, and Davis acknowledged they stepped into a tough situation in the wake of the McDaniels firing.
Pierce and Kelly also have the backing of superstar defensive end Maxx Crosby, who told Davis he wants Pierce and Kelly back in 2024 — though support from Crosby didn’t help the previous Raiders interim coach, Rich Bisacchia.
In any event, Davis said the position is “wide open” but acknowledged the reality of the situation. What happens during the rest of the regular season appears to mean a lot regarding the future of the Raiders.
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