The Las Vegas Raiders have fallen to 2-11 throughout Antonio Pierce’s first season because the membership’s full-time head coach. Understandably, this has some questioning if group proprietor Mark Davis may take into account hiring an improve come January.
For a bit printed Wednesday, NFL insiders Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN defined why former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel is being talked about by some inside the league as a possible substitute for Pierce.
“The addition of Tom Brady to the possession group has doubtlessly altered the dynamic, as group proprietor Mark Davis would really like Brady to have an actual position within the decision-making,” Graziano mentioned concerning the Raiders probably shifting on from Pierce after one accomplished marketing campaign.
In the meantime, Fowler famous that “Brady’s affect as a minority proprietor there may loom massive for Vrabel or others with ties to the previous quarterback.”
Final winter, Vrabel was first linked with the Raiders, lengthy earlier than Brady formally grew to become a restricted franchise companion. The 2 “have been very shut over eight years as teammates (with the New England Patriots) and have maintained a relationship since,” NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports activities Illustrated defined in January. Whereas Pierce hasn’t coated himself in glory throughout a season wherein the Raiders don’t have any official quarterback reply, Vrabel went 54-45 with the Titans and received the Related Press Coach of the 12 months Award for the 2021 marketing campaign.
Brady is anticipated to assist recruit personnel to the Raiders “on each degree” however could have some competitors if he is critical about convincing Davis to rent Vrabel. Vrabel reportedly would take into account talking with New York Jets proprietor Woody Johnson about that membership’s opening, and it is nonetheless unclear if Dallas Cowboys proprietor and normal supervisor Jerry Jones will both transfer on from Mike McCarthy after Week 18 or signal McCarthy to a brand new deal. The Chicago Bears may additionally name Vrabel if they don’t seem to be married to the concept of hiring an offensive guru as head coach to work with quarterback Caleb Williams.
“The Raiders make loads of sense, ought to that job open,” Fowler added about the place Vrabel could land.
As for Pierce, he’ll need to attempt to concentrate on stacking wins starting with Las Vegas’ matchup versus the 6-7 Atlanta Falcons this coming Monday night time. As of Wednesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Raiders as 4.5-point underdogs for that contest.
