Maxx Crosby reportedly has big threat for Raiders over head coach decision

Oct 23, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) runs off the field after the Raiders defeated the Houston Texans 38-20 at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby has a very strong opinion on whom the team’s next head coach should be — so strong, in fact, that he is willing to make quite the threat if he does not get his wish.

Crosby is adamant that the Raiders should remove the interim tag from Antonio Pierce and make Pierce the full-time head coach. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Crosby would consider requesting a trade if the Raiders were not to hire Pierce.

From @NFLGameDay: The Jim Harbaugh sweepstakes are heating up, as he's set to meet with the #Chargers. Meanwhile, Maxx Crosby could request a trade if the #Raiders don't hire Antonio Pierce. pic.twitter.com/J3X80cumW8

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 13, 2024

Rapoport added that the Raiders locker room is “united” behind Pierce as head coach, putting significant pressure on owner Mark Davis to give Pierce the job.

Crosby publicly called on the Raiders to hire Pierce in a social media post Friday. He has clearly made his opinion even clearer in private. It may be working, with reports suggesting that Pierce has emerged as the frontrunner for the job after going 5-4 down the stretch. The Raiders would certainly want nothing to do with an unhappy Crosby, who collected 14.5 sacks in a dominant 2023 campaign.

It is worth noting that the last time the Raiders made an in-season coaching change, Rich Bisaccia went 7-5 as interim coach and was similarly popular with players. Despite public backing from Crosby, however, Bisaccia was never strongly considered for the permanent job, with the Raiders going for a flashy hire in Josh McDaniels. That turned out to be a spectacular failure, and Pierce took over as interim coach after McDaniels was fired on Oct. 31. Crosby’s strong stance may be informed by that situation. Perhaps Davis has learned his lesson from it, too.