The Las Vegas Raiders are still in the hunt for a new head coach.
They’re reportedly interested in Jim Harbaugh, but the players would rather they do something different.
According to a report by Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Raiders players want interim HC Antonio Pierce to get the job on a full-time basis.
They’ve reportedly told owner Mark Davis that Pierce is their guy, and star pass rusher Maxx Crosby could reportedly request a trade if he’s not hired.
“Safe to say: The players are united around Antonio Pierce. Led by Maxx Crosby, that’s been communicated to Raiders owner Mark Davis. But if someone other than Antonio Pierce is the choice, Crosby’s trade request would have wide-ranging ramifications,” Rapoport said.
Safe to say: The players are united around Antonio Pierce. Led by Maxx Crosby, that’s been communicated to #Raiders owner Mark Davis.
But if someone other than Antonio Pierce is the choice, Crosby’s trade request would have wide-ranging ramifications. https://t.co/D61lDBQGvr
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 13, 2024
Needless to say, Crosby’s potential trade request could have huge ramifications within the locker room.
Crosby is one of the best players in his position, and the Raiders simply cannot afford to lose him.
The players have rallied around Pierce from the very moment he was appointed as interim head coach, and they even finished the season on a high note.
The Raiders already went through something like this not so long ago.
The players wanted Rich Bisaccia to stay after he took over from Jon Gruden, and the team hired Josh McDaniels instead.
They cannot make the same mistake this time, as Pierce has earned the trust and love of this group, and they proved to be ready and more than willing to run through a brick wall for him.
Now, it remains to be seen if Davis will listen to his locker room this time.
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