The Las Vegas Raiders had an immediate surge following the firings of Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler, winning two games and giving fans some hope that they would be able to challenge for a Wild Card spot.
However, the Raiders have fallen off since then, and they suffered probably their most embarrassing loss of the 2023 season when they were shut out by the Minnesota Vikings 3-0 in Week 14. It was a game featuring a pair of backup quarterbacks, though Las Vegas failed in the closing minutes as Aiden O’Connell was picked off on their final drive.
Interim head coach Antonio Pierce and interim general manager Champ Kelly have won over the locker room with their attitude and drive, though neither of the two are guaranteed to hold onto their positions beyond this season. The Raiders and Mark Davis have already been scouring the landscape for potential candidates to fill both roles, though Pierce and Kelly can still make a case for themselves down the stretch.
Maxx Crosby has enjoyed the two’s presence, and on the NFL Media’s The Insiders show, Crosby admitted he would like Pierce and Kelly to remain in their roles next season as transcribed by Sean Deveney of Heavy.com:
“I have been very honest, and I have been very open about it. I love those guys. AP and Champ, I’ve been close with them ever since they been here. Before they got the jobs now. Selfishly, I want them to continue to be the head coach and GM. I’ve been very honest with them. I told Mark Davis the same thing,” Crosby said.
Crosby certainly holds some sway with Davis and the rest of the organization given that he’s the team leader and is currently in the midst of a Defensive Player of the Year campaign. Crosby is a fiercely loyal teammate and person, and it’s no surprise that he would like to see the franchise prioritize some continuity.
However, the decisions ultimately rest with Davis who could be looking to make a splash hiring. Those haven’t worked out in the past, so it’ll be interesting to see which direction he goes in.
Antonio Pierce wants Raiders to match Maxx Crosby’s energy and purpose
Crosby is the clear leader of the locker room and is the one the players turn to both on and off the field. With that in mind, it’s easy to see why Pierce would like the rest of the roster to match Crosby’s energy and purpose.
