Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce on Monday declined to comment on several unnamed members of his team following Sunday’s stunning 36-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers.
Visibly upset by the Raiders’ performance against the previously winless Panthers, Pierce was asked how concerned he was about his team’s effort in a game where Las Vegas trailed by as many as 26 points.
“I don’t think it was the team. I think there were definitely some people who made business decisions,” Pierce said. “And we’ll be making business decisions going forward.”
At a press conference the next day, Pierce was asked about that particular comment and he reiterated, “I’m not holding my tongue.”
Pierce, 45, is a former NFL linebacker who was selected to the 2006 Pro Bowl. Players have strongly supported Pierce for the Raiders head coaching job after he led them to a 5-4 finish as interim coach following the midseason firing of Josh McDaniels in 2023.
Pierce told reporters he will address the team later Monday and will be “very direct.”
“Because that’s what it is,” Pierce said, “and that’s what we’re going to do: call a spade a spade.”
So far, the Raiders’ “trade decisions” have not included a change at QB1.
Minshew completed 18 of 28 passes for 214 yards, a touchdown and an interception before O’Connell took over. O’Connell, who started 10 games for the Raiders last season, completed 9 of 12 passes for 82 yards and a touchdown.
The Raiders’ problems appeared to run deeper than just play-calling. The offense gained just 55 rushing yards on 16 attempts, and the defense was torn apart by Andy Dalton in his first start for the Panthers after Bryce Young was benched.
“The effort wasn’t as high as it had been in previous games and it showed,” Pierce said. “It didn’t look good at the end of the game.”
