Jason Burgos
A Las Vegas Raiders insider claims the team’s locker room has been filled with celebration, fun, and even cigar smoke since the organization fired former head coach Josh McDaniels last week.
The drama in the Raiders locker room over the last year in a half has been well-documented. However, it reportedly all came to a head last week when a team meeting devolved into a Josh McDaniels bashing session that humiliated the coach and set up his eventual downfall.
Related: Las Vegas Raiders exorcise Josh McDaniels demons and find unity in win over Giants
However, his replacement ended up being an unexpected choice in linebackers coach Antonio Pierce. A man who has a lot of experience as a player but has yet to even hold a top coordinator position for a team in the league.
Yet, the decision is one that may have been rooted in his connection with the team’s players amid reports that he was a notable voice during the infamous meeting as he implored the roster to buy into creating a winning culture in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Raiders players smoked cigars following the team’s win in Week 9
During a Monday appearance on the “Rich Eisen Show,” The Athletic’s Raiders insider Vic Tarfur spoke about how Pierce’s standing with players rose this season as he became a “sounding board” when the locker room grew “disillusioned” with many key figures on the coaching staff.
Related: Las Vegas Raiders reportedly owe Josh McDaniels, Dave Ziegler staggering amount of money
As a former player and leader for championship teams with the New York Giants, Pierce brings a very different resume than McDaniels who never played in the league before becoming a coach. And it seems that this different approach has led to a much more fun and loosey-goosey atmosphere in the Las Vegas locker room over the last week.
Following the Raiders victory over the Giants on Sunday, Tarfur claimed that the players were smoking cigars in celebration, something that never happened under any previous regime in the 14 years Tarfur has covered the franchise. They were also seen dancing, posting videos on social media, and the team’s owner Mark Davis was also a part of the celebration.
“It’s been a big-time party all week. They put a mini-hoop in the locker room, you’ve got guys wrestling after, having fun. It’s been very clear about what they felt about the last regime,” Tarfur said.
The Raiders return to action in a Sunday Night Football matchup against the New York Jets in Week 10.
