Raiders Improve Under Pierce’s Guidance
[Written by Patrick Bean]
The Las Vegas Raiders’ current winning streak, while likely placing them out of the Shedeur Sanders sweepstakes, has given Antonio Pierce’s job status as the franchise’s head coach added security.
Two wins in as many games, the latest a 25-10 away victory over the New Orleans Saints that improved the Raiders’ record to 4-12, put them eighth in the draft order, meaning they would presumably have to trade up to get a quarterback like Sanders or the University of Miami’s Cam Ward.
Third-rated prospect Jalen Milroe of Alabama University could be available at number eight but is not considered NFL-ready, while recently declared Carson Beck of Georgia might be a reach as a top-ten selection.
Despite enduring a torturous 2024 campaign what cannot be denied has been the tremendous effort put out by a young, inexperienced Las Vegas outfit. The unit has shown toughness and commitment to learning the ways of the NFL, with rookie tight end Brock Bowers a star in the making.
Bowers has now passed Hall of Fame TE Mike Ditka [1,076 in 1961] for the most receiving yards by a rookie tight end in a single season in NFL history and is just one of eight tight ends of any experience level in NFL history to record 105 receptions in a single season.
Speaking following the latest victory Pierce delivered a defiant take to his team, per Vic Tafur of The Athletic.
“We might be delayed, but we’re not going to be denied,” Pierce said.
The Raiders are a team that come to play every week. With a better QB and OL, they will be a better team in 2025.
Go Raiders!!!