Adams wants Raiders to hire Pierce as head coach

Raiders All-Pro receiver Davante Adams strongly praised Antonio Pierce on Wednesday, adding he hopes Las Vegas hires the interim head coach as the team's permanent sideline boss in 2024.

"It's obviously who I want, that's my vote," Adams said. "I've been vocal about that, and that's basically how the whole locker room feels, and with good reason. He's come in and done a great job, just continuing to win us over."

He added: "Having AP here would be good for this organization. He kind of embodies what it means to be a Raider in that mentality, that swag. All the things that he endorses (are) the things that I believe in. ... Definitely rooting for him."

The Raiders promoted Pierce from linebackers coach to interim head coach in late October to replace Josh McDaniels, whom the club fired after a 3-5 start. Las Vegas - which is 4-4 under Pierce - also dismissed general manager Dave Ziegler and offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi.

Adams said that Pierce's experience as a player is a huge factor in him having a good relationship with Raiders players. The 45-year-old coach played in the NFL from 2001-09. A former linebacker, he helped the New York Giants pull one of football's greatest comebacks in Super Bowl XLII against the New England Patriots.

"Having played, understanding where we come from, to be able to give a good assessment of the game as far as our effort, whatever it is. ... He just has a realistic approach and mindset of how the game is supposed to be played, and what he expects from his players. And it's easy to get behind that," Adams added.

McDaniels became the fourth coach fired by the Raiders since owner Mark Davis took over in 2012. The team also had three different interim coaches in that span, including Rich Bisaccia, who posted a 7-5 record and helped Las Vegas make the playoffs during the 2021 season but wasn't hired permanently by the club.

Davis recently praised Pierce's leadership but also said he expects greater improvement from the Raiders' offense beyond this season. The last two head coaches hired by Las Vegas - Jon Gruden and McDaniels - were offensive-minded.

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