It’s no surprise Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby supports Vegas’ interim coach Antonio Pierce and interim general manager Champ Kelly as he prepares for the final five games of the regular season.
But Crosby says he wants both men to earn full-time jobs in 2024, and he’s told team owner Mark Davis as much.
Crosby revealed his stance during an interview on NFL Media’s The Insiders.
“Selfishly, I want them to continue to be the head coach and GM. I’ve been very honest with them. I told Mark the same thing,” Crosby said.
It’s well known that Davis listens to his top players to measure the pulse of the Raiders locker room. But it’s unclear how much Davis will take their opinions into account regarding his next head coach, especially after Crosby wanted the Raiders’ last interim coach, Rich Bisaccia, to earn the job as well. Davis hired ex-coach Josh McDaniels instead.
Bisaccia led the Raiders to a playoff birth and still didn’t get the job. So Crosby knows that Las Vegas has to win down the stretch to give Pierce and Kelly any chance to remain in their roles.
“For me, I take it as an extra motivation to help this team win so they can be in the position they’re in now for the long term,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of head coaches and a lot of change in my five years and I just want stability and honesty. I feel like AP and Champ are everything that represents that. Those guys are super honest, they’re straightforward, and I think they’re doing an incredible job.”
From our interview with Maxx Crosby on The Insiders: The #Raiders star pass-rusher advocates for Antonio Pierce and Champ Kelly to stay right where they are. pic.twitter.com/FXw82dAPIM
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 8, 2023
Pierce is 2-2 thus far as the Raiders coach, so a winning record over the last five games should give him a legitimate chance at keeping the job, or at the least, getting a serious interview. Furthermore, his success will improve Kelly’s chances of remaining GM.
For Pierce to hold a strong position heading into the offseason, however, he needs to produce some magic, as in four or five more wins. After that, the ball is in Mark Davis’ court. All of Raider Nation will hold its collective breath when the time for that decision finally arrives. For now, Pierce, Kelly, Crosby, and crew know what they need to do, starting this weekend against the Vikings.