In the first six months after his departure from the Raiders, former head coach Antonio Pierce was mostly quiet about his time with the team.
But since the start of the season, Pierce has been more vocal in his role with CBS Sports and made a big statement on the Raiders decision to end Maxx Crosby’s season with two games to go.
“I don’t care what anybody says. You pay all that money in Vegas to go see Maxx Crosby. To see Brock Bowers. You don’t want to see the backups. You want to see those guys,” Pierce said on CBS Sports NFL Today.
“And the thing that’s interesting, Maxx Crosby, I believe, the last six or seven games, has played in every, every game, every snap. I was with Maxx for three years, and I understand the pain, the effort, the sweat, the blood, the tears that he puts into that organization. And I know it hurt him to be sat down, and that’s why he probably went home and said, ‘You know what? I need to breathe.'”
But the conversation didn’t stop there.
Pierce’s co-host, Kyle Long, challenged the former head coach’s line of thinking and brought up the decision from the standpoint of the organization.
“I have no doubt [Maxx] was pissed off, but I think it was the right choice,” Long said, to which Pierce said he agreed.
“Yeah, for the organization, but as a player you are paid to play 18 games,” Pierce said.
From there, Pierce was pressed on what he would have done in the same situation and agreed the Raiders made the right call.
“Yeah, I need a quarterback,” Pierce said with a smirk.
Pierce’s comments and his shift at the end of the conversation were an example of why the Crosby situation is so complex.
The best decisions for the players aren’t always the best decisions for the organization, and vice versa.
It’s a concept that most (although not everyone) covering the Raiders has been able to understand, but it’s clear that Tom Brady and GM John Spytek understand the importance of going into the offseason with the no. 1 pick in the draft.
Moreso than previous years, the no. 1 pick is expected to be especially valuable in 2026.
Appearing on the Rich Eisen Show two weeks ago, long time draft analyst Todd McShay said this is not going to be a great year to have a top 10 pick – unless you have the first pick.
His comments at the time were directed at the Giants but apply to the Raiders after Sunday’s loss.
“I hate to say this as we get ready to embark on the 2026 draft process, it’s not a great top 10 in terms of what we’re used to,” McShay told Eisen.
“With the elite offensive tackles and pass rushers. There’s a lot of good ones… [but] it’s a different class in that the positions of value are not the best players this year. So I’m looking at that number one overall pick and I think I have it right. It is the Giants right now… I would love to have that first pick because if it’s only [Fernando] Mendoza or even if it’s Mendoza and let’s say more, but not Simpson, teams are going to be clamoring to go up and get that pick ahead of the Raiders.”
If the Raiders get the top pick in the draft, they can take Mendoza, but the no. 2 pick could put the Raiders in a complicated situation if Oregon’s Dante Moore doesn’t declare for the draft.
If multiple teams are bidding to move up to the no. 1 pick, the Raiders could be forced to pay a heavy price if they want to trade up for Mendoza. And if the Raiders don’t trade up for Mendoza, they could end up picking no. 2 in a draft that isn’t expected to have a clear no. 2 prospect.
x: @raidersbeat
Always like AP & I see why the players bought into him. He never sugar coats or BS them.
Moore definitely coming out. Even we fell to #3. You’ve got to throw everything @ Malik Willis then. Not the worst idea.