The Las Vegas Raiders’ season of misery hit a new low in Monday night’s 15-9 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, extending the team’s losing streak to a staggering 10 games. Amid this freefall, questions are mounting about the job security of head coach Antonio Pierce as he presides over one of the worst campaigns in franchise history.
A Season Derailed
The Raiders entered the 2024 season with high hopes, but those aspirations quickly crumbled under the weight of injuries, inconsistent play, and off-field drama. Key players like Maxx Crosby, Malcolm Koonce, Christian Wilkins, Jakorian Bennett and Marcus Epps have all missed significant time, decimating a once-promising defense.
Offensively, the quarterback carousel has spun nonstop, with Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell both battling injuries. Third-stringer Desmond Ridder, acquired midseason from the Cardinals, has been thrust into action with little success. As Pierce lamented after the Falcons loss: “We’re just searching, searching for a win, searching for positive energy.”
Draft Implications
The Raiders’ freefall has positioned them near the top of the 2025 NFL Draft order, currently tied with the Giants for the league’s worst record at 2-12. Had Jakobi Meyers hauled in Ridder’s last-second heave against Atlanta, Las Vegas would have fallen to the No. 7 pick. Instead, they remain in prime position to address their glaring need at quarterback.
Pierce initially hoped to land Jayden Daniels as the Raiders’ franchise quarterback, but that plan never materialized. Now, with a potential top-3 pick looming, the Raiders could have their choice of the draft’s elite signal-callers to rebuild around. However, Pierce’s involvement in that decision is far from certain.
Coaching Uncertainty
Despite the Raiders’ abysmal record, Pierce insists his team hasn’t quit on him. “Guys are all-in,” he stated firmly. “We’ve got guys that’s battling, don’t matter. Next man up, right? You can poke the armor and do all this stuff, but these guys are not budging. I’m not budging.”
Still, the specter of a coaching change looms. Owner Mark Davis recently noted that Pierce and GM Tom Telesco “didn’t come in as a team” and “are individuals,” fueling speculation that their fates aren’t necessarily intertwined. When pressed on his status for 2025, Pierce was succinct: “I’m under contract.”
“We need a break, right? We need a little prayer. It just didn’t go our way.”
– Antonio Pierce on the Raiders’ last-second loss to the Falcons
Finishing Strong?
The Raiders will look to play spoiler in their final three games against the Jaguars, Saints, and Chargers. At this point, draft positioning is the primary focus, with the Jaguars matchup looming large in the race for the No. 1 overall pick.
Whether Pierce will be the one leading that charge in 2025 and beyond is the burning question. For now, he maintains “the conversation has been the same as they always are — very positive” with ownership. But until the Raiders taste victory again, the heat on his seat will only intensify.
