Davante Adams sends clear message to Raiders about Antonio Pierce
Dec 4, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) walks off the field after the Raiders defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 27-20 at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams sent what appeared to be a clear message to the team and owner Mark Davis regarding the status of interim coach Antonio Pierce.
Adams offered a ringing endorsement of Pierce to land the permanent coaching job when speaking to the media on Wednesday. The star wide receiver said the entire locker room is behind Pierce, and is pulling for the interim coach to have that tag removed.
#Raiders WR Davante Adams on interim HC Antonio Pierce:
"It's who I wanted, and he's my vote, and that's basically how the whole locker room feels. … He embodies what it means to be a Raider. … I'm rooting for him."
Message sent to Mark Davis…pic.twitter.com/KKa18FnrB3
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 3, 2024
“It’s who I wanted. That’s my vote. I’ve been vocal about that. That’s basically how the whole locker room feels, with good reason,” Adams said of the possibility of Pierce becoming the permanent head coach. “He’s come in and done a great job. He’s continued to win us over. It’s not just the comfortable thing. I think having AP here would be good for this organization. He kind of embodies what it means to be a Raider, that mentality, that swag, all the things that he endorses is the things that I believe in.”
From Mark Davis’ perspective, there has to be a temptation to give Pierce the job. Pierce has pointed to his on-field resume, and with good reason, as he authored a signature win against the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas. In eight games since becoming interim coach, the Raiders have gone 4-4 under his guidance.
The last time the Raiders made a coaching change, they gave interim coach Rich Bisaccia no real consideration despite decent performances and strong endorsements from star players. They wound up hiring Josh McDaniels, which went terribly. One has to wonder if that experience is playing on Davis’ mind as he figures out what to do with Pierce.