The Las Vegas Raiders have yet to name a head coach, but there may be hints that they already know what they plan to do with the position.
Raiders interim coach Antonio Pierce represented the team at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade on Monday in Las Vegas, as did interim general manager Champ Kelly. Notably, both were pictured along with Hall of Famer and ex-Raider Richard Seymour, who confirmed Sunday that he is advising the team in its hiring process.
Living the dream! Caught a shot of Raiders’ finest legendary Richard Seymour, Coach Antonio Pierce, and GM Champ Kelly representing at the MLK parade. @BigSey93 @tashanreed #Raiders #FutureOfTheRaiders pic.twitter.com/BX52SipNIv
— Janee (@JaneeM23) January 15, 2024
Pierce also spoke to KNTV during the parade, and may have dropped a hint about whether his interim tag might soon be removed.
"It's a dream. I don't want to pinch myself until it becomes official."
Antonio Pierce talks racial inclusion and Raiders head coach candidacy with @KTNV at MLK parade in Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/oDEbkw6iY6
— Nick Walters (@nickwalt) January 15, 2024
“It’s a dream. I don’t want to pinch myself yet until it becomes official and we put a stamp on this bad boy, but very humbled and honored,” Pierce said.
It may not be official, but Pierce is certainly talking like someone who expects it to be announced at some point.
Pierce may have good reason to think that. Reports indicate that he is the frontrunner for the job, and one of the team’s star players is even threatening to request a trade if Pierce is not the choice. It may be a matter of when, not if, he is officially hired.
