The Las Vegas Raiders have officially dealt away star wide receiver Davante Adams to the New York Jets. And while the Raiders have obviously lost one of the best players in the NFL at his position, it is the job of head coach Antonio Pierce to keep this team on track and ready to go as they prepare for their Week 7 game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Adams was one of many Raiders players who supported Pierce’s being named the team’s permanent head coach, but the relationship seemed to have some issues after Pierce reportedly liked a social media post suggesting Adams’ time with the Raiders was coming to an end soon.
Regardless, in the wake of the completed trade, Pierce had a simple message for his team, which was “business as usual” as he and the Raiders are ready to move on, via Paul Gutierrez of ESPN:
Raiders coach Antonio Pierce, in the wake of Tuesday’s trade that sent three-time All-Pro receiver Davante Adams to the New York Jets, said it was “business as usual” for Las Vegas and did not see the move as part of a “rebuild.”
“Next man up, move on,” Pierce said Wednesday, when asked the message he gave to his team. “He was out for the last [three] weeks, so we’re fine. … That’s how we’ve been really operating the last couple weeks.
“You never replace an All-Pro receiver like Davante. But at the end of the day, we’re not trying to. We’re trying to be the best versions of ourselves.”
As Pierce said, it’s impossible to replace a player the caliber of Davante Adams, but the Raiders just have to be the best versions of themselves, and at the end of the day, it will always be the next man up. Thankfully, as the head coach noted, the Raiders have been without Adams for the past three weeks, so they are used to preparing without him.
Jakobi Meyers moves into the no. 1 receiver spot, but Tre Tucker and DJ Turner are undoubtedly in line to receive more opportunities as well. Not to mention rookie tight end Brock Bowers, who is already emerging as an absolute beast just a few games into his career.
Pierce may not see this as a rebuilding move for the Raiders, but if that is to be the case, he must lead the way in turning this season around, as things are on the brink of turning into a lost year and missing the playoffs once again.
Raiders Legend Tim Brown Unhappy with Davante Adams Trade
While Antonio Pierce is ready to move on from the Davante Adams trade, many who love the Raiders are unhappy as the franchise has now had to part ways with another big star.
Hall of Famer and franchise legend Tim Brown took to social media to voice his displeasure, taking a shot at former Raiders coach Josh McDaniels and saying he knew a deal was likely after the Raiders cut quarterback Derek Carr.
Brown still wished Adams good luck with the Jets, but it is clear that legend is anxious for the Raiders to return to the elite of the NFL and he feels this move is a step in the wrong direction.
