The Las Vegas Raiders enter a new chapter with Antonio Pierce as their head coach, looking to return to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2002.
Fresh off his interim stint as head coach, during which he led the Raiders to a 5-4 record, Pierce’s winning the permanent job signifies a key moment for a franchise aiming for resurgence.
Excitement in the Raiders’ locker room is sky-high, as are the good vibes from the fan base, who were bent on making sure a coach with “swagger” took the helm in Las Vegas.
Now, as the excitement turns toward high expectations, Pierce and whomever owner Mark Davis chooses as the team’s next general manager face the monumental task of rejuvenating the Raiders — especially with the NFL draft approaching.
While the team’s strong defense provides hope, it is their struggling offense that will be closely scrutinized as Pierce plans his moves as head coach.
Let’s look at three areas Pierce and the Las Vegas Raiders must address to succeed in the short term, and to build a long-term championship-caliber team.
Key #1: The search for a dynamic Las Vegas Raiders franchise quarterback
It doesn’t matter if Antonio Pierce is known as a defensive coach; he’s now the permanent head coach, and the solution to the team’s quarterback issue now falls on him and whomever will be the Raiders’ GM. Last season, the Raiders’ brutal offensive output can be attributed mostly to a lack of top-level quarterback play.
The 2023 season included underwhelming performances from Jimmy Garoppolo, despite his experience and connection with former coach Josh McDaniels and his offensive system.
Pierce rightfully benched Garoppolo after being named interim head coach and started rookie Aidan O’Connell for the remainder of the season. While O’Connell showed growth and glimpses of promise, he did little to firmly establish himself as the team’s long-term solution.
The upcoming NFL Draft presents a multitude of prospects at the quarterback position, but the Raiders, picking at 13, may miss out on the draft’s hottest prospects, including USC’s Caleb Williams, North Carolina’s Drake Maye and Pierce’s former player at Arizona State, Jayden Daniels from LSU.
If the Raiders can’t, or don’t, move up in the draft, Pierce and his new GM will need to consider looking into trade opportunities or considering experienced quarterbacks available in free agency, including names like Kirk Cousins or Jacoby Brissett.
For Antonio Pierce and the Las Vegas Raiders, nailing this choice is crucial.
Key #2: He must revamp the entire offense
While resolving the quarterback dilemma takes center stage, Pierce needs to develop an offensive strategy that goes beyond just focusing on who’s under center.
Pierce must first find the right offensive coordinator to bring a progressive offensive approach. Once that key choice is made, the Raiders need to work on improving key aspects of their offense, particularly their offensive line and receiving corps.
The only name floated thus far is former Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury, who also interviewed for the same role in Chicago. He has not yet interviewed with the Raiders.
Strengthening and enhancing the offensive line will be key for whomever is the Raiders new quarterback and would contribute to a more effective running game – both essential components for achieving a well balanced offensive attack.
The Raiders finished 24th in rushing offense in 2023 and may be looking to replace former rushing title champion Josh Jacobs, who is a free agent. Similarly, bolstering their receiving corps will be a point of emphasis, since the Raiders finished this season 22nd in overall receiving yards and 23rd in yards per catch.
Yes, the Raiders already have one of the best in Davante Adams, and Jakobi Meyers had a good season with 71 receptions, 807 yards and eight touchdowns, but they are in need of depth and more speed at the position. Especially if their new offense is more contemporary, following recent NFL trends.
Key #3: Developing a culture based on winning
Considering Pierce’s brief experience as a head coach, it is crucial that he continues to establish a solid leadership culture within the team, and that culture just can’t be a romanticized “Raider Way.” It has to be based on wins and success on the field.
His background as an NFL player and coach, and a college and high school coach, tells you he knows how to motivate and keep his players focused. But none of it will matter if the Raiders remain one of the worst teams in the win column over the past 21 years.
Pierce’s ability to win over the locker room as a coach, after the McDaniels debacle, shows he is able to relate to his players and create a culture of trust and accountability. That has worked as a relief pitcher, but now it more difficult. The Raiders need more than just good feelings and “vibe” in the locker room. Like every coach in the NFL, Pierce and the Raiders will be evaluated on his hire based on one metric — wins.
His success will be dependent on his ability to not only fix the Raiders’ offense, but continue to build an atmosphere that leads to wins. The swagger of Raiders teams from long ago were not based on fashion statements or just public image, but because they backed up the bravado on the field and won championships.
He did a commendable job down the stretch as a fill-in, but having won eight games in the tumultuous season of 2023, expectations will now be to hit the 10- or 11-win mark, granted they’re able to get the quarterback they need.
After the elation over Antonio Pierce’s hiring subsides, the road ahead for him and the Raiders is full of challenges — and great potential. His initial decisions will go a long way toward dictating whether Pierce writes the next great chapter in Raiders history, or if he extends decades of missteps and mishaps.