The Las Vegas Raiders have fired head coach Antonio Pierce after one season as the team’s permanent helm.
The Raiders finished the season 4-13 with internal turmoil that led to the departure of arguably the team’s best player, Davante Adams, via trade in the middle of the season.
Pierce’s firing is the first head-coaching change Las Vegas has made since the arrival of Tom Brady as a minority owner.
The Raiders become the sixth NFL team with a head-coaching vacancy, as they’ll have their third head coach in three seasons come this fall.
Pierce was given the interim head-coaching gig after Josh McDaniels was fired in the middle of the 2023 season.
The interim tag was removed from Pierce after he finished the 2023 season with a 5-4 record at the helm, more wins than the Raiders had this entire season.
‘The Las Vegas Raiders have relieved Antonio Pierce of his duties as head coach,’ a team statement read. ‘We appreciate Antonio’s leadership, first as an interim head coach and this past season as the head coach.’
‘Antonio grew up a Raiders fan and his Silver and Black roots run deep. We are grateful for his ability to reignite what it means to be a Raider throughout the entire organization. We wish nothing but the best for Antonio and his family in the future.’
The other five teams looking for a head coach are the Jets, Bears, Jaguars, Patriots, and Saints.
Many of those teams are expected to interview many of the same candidates with Mike Vrabel appearing to be the biggest prize of this year’s coaching carousel.
The Raiders have not won a playoff game since the 2002 season and have only qualified for the postseason twice over that span.
Brady has been a minority owner in the Raiders for a few months and could be in line to help make the decision for the next head coach.
Brady doubling as a color commentator for Fox and a minority NFL owner will raise a few eyebrows across the league.
ESPN reported as much, with Brady expected to be part of the committee that interviews candidates alongside owner Mark Davis.
The Raiders gig has proven to be one of the toughest in the NFL despite the luxury living Las Vegas can provide.
Competing against three playoff-bound teams this season, with one being the two-time-defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs, will prove uphill sledding for the next head coach.
The Raiders also have the No 6 pick in April’s NFL Draft. Unless they move up with limited capital, the Raiders may be forced to choose for a franchise quarterback with Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders off the board.
By the sixth selection, two-way phenom and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter is also guaranteed have been already picked.
Alongside a new quarterback, Las Vegas needs an upgrade at running back and wide receiver, marking the tough road back to playoff contention.
Brady has signed a 10-year, $375million contract with Fox Sports as its top color commentator.
