The spiraling Las Vegas Raiders could fire head coach Antonio Pierce, and the subsequent fallout could lead to a Maxx Crosby trade. Originally taking over for Josh McDaniels midway through the 2023 season, Antonio Pierce impressed during his limited run as an interim head coach, going 5-4 while breathing some life into a stagnant Raiders organization. While the team conducted head coaching interviews with a wide variety of candidates, Vegas ultimately decided Pierce deserved the full-time job.
Unfortunately, Pierce couldn’t recapture his 2023 magic, as the team currently sits at the basement of the AFC West with a 2-10 record. While nobody expected this team to win the Super Bowl, they should have been better than this. In a recent interview, owner Mark Davis heavily suggested that the team could fire Pierce while retaining General Manager Tom Telesco. This move could lead to locker room chaos, especially for star pass rusher Maxx Crosby.
Maybe it’s just me, but Mark Davis was talking as if Tom Telesco will be there.
And he was more noncommittal on Antonio Pierce. I feel like #Raiders decisions have been made—just not made public.
⬇️ https://t.co/2DZaVk4MUJ pic.twitter.com/013wRCAISs— Moe Moton (@MoeMoton) December 11, 2024
Edge defender Maxx Crosby believes in Pierce’s ability as a head coach and openly said he could’ve requested a trade if they didn’t hire him. If he still feels strongly about Pierce, that threat could resurface. A new coach means another rebuild and the star pass rusher might prefer to spend his late 20s fighting for a Super Bowl title. If the Raiders make him available, look for the Baltimore Ravens and New Orleans Saints to be the top suitors.
“I want to be a Raider. But if we go in a different direction [from Antonio Pierce], there is nothing that is off the table.” – Maxx Crosby, January 2024
Maxx Crosby Could Request Trade If Raiders Fire Antonio Pierce
The Baltimore Ravens lost several key defensive pieces in the previous offseason and never found proper replacements. While the 8-5 team should make the playoffs and has the potential to go on a deep playoff run, they’ll only go as far as Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry can bring them. The defense is not playing up to their usual standards, as the unit currently ranks 19th in EPA/play allowed and 28th in EPA/play against the pass.
Former first-round pick Odafe Oweh is thriving in a starting role, but this team must find another reliable pass rusher. Kyle Van Noy isn’t getting any younger, and second-round pick David Ojabo is a cut candidate. Adding Maxx Crosby via trade would give the Ravens a ferocious pass-rushing duo that could elevate this team to a long-awaited Super Bowl title.
Retooling, Not Rebuilding
The New Orleans Saints have a busy offseason ahead of them, as the team must hire a new head coach, restructure their way to cap compliance, and field a competent roster before the beginning of the 2025 season. While some teams would use the firing of Dennis Allen as an excuse to embrace a proper rebuild, all signs point towards New Orleans running it back with Derek Carr and their group of experienced veterans. This means New Orleans will try and go on a deep playoff run next year, which means they could trade for Maxx Crosby.
Cameron Jordan was once an elite pass rusher, but the former first-round pick is well past his prime. With Chase Young set to test the open market, New Orleans must find someone capable of getting after the quarterback. On paper, the Saints will struggle to fit Crosby’s contract under the cap, but nobody is better at manipulating the salary cap than General Manager Mickey Loomis. If he wants Crosby badly enough, he will join former teammate Derek Carr on the Saints.
Main Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck – USA Today Sports
