Report: Antonio Pierce’s Future with Raiders in “Serious Doubt”

Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce is making a hard charge to save his job, but will a two-game winning streak be enough to pull it off?

It’s possible, but a report on Saturday from two of the league’s most respected insiders didn’t paint the most optimistic outlook.

“Despite the celebratory scene in the locker room following a Week 16 win over the Jaguars, the belief in league circles continues to be that Antonio Pierce’s future as the Raiders’ head coach is in serious doubt,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported on Saturday.

“Owner Mark Davis’ public comments at the December League Meeting suggested he’ll wait to evaluate until after the season ends,” their report continued. “And perhaps, if the team has another stirring win like Sunday’s, Davis could ride the wave of positivity. Nothing has been finalized.”

Technically, Pierce did pull off a “stirring win” over the Saints on Sunday, but it’s worth noting that New Orleans might have a roster even more depleted than the Vegas roster at this late stage in the season.

Based on NFL Network’s report and other whispers around the league, there is a high probability that Pierce isn’t going to make it to a second season in Las Vegas – even after Sunday’s win. It’s been a respectable finish to the season for the Raiders, but there is likely a massive overhaul coming to the coaching staff in the weeks ahead.

Pierce and company host the Chargers in the season finale next week and Jim Harbaugh could make the decision to rest some of his starters before the playoffs. With the Chargers focused on their first-round playoff matchup, the Raiders should have a good opportunity to pull off their third win in a row.

But win or lose against the Chargers, it’s going to be an uphill climb for Pierce and his staff.

If Pierce is fired after the season, the candidate to watch will be former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel. He will be the top candidate for more teams than the Raiders, but at least one NFL insider believes the Raiders have a real shot at getting Vrabel.

According to Brian Costello of the New York Post, rumblings around the league are that the Raiders are the team most likely to land Vrabel as their next head coach.

“I think Vrabel is heading for the Raiders,” Costello said on the Gang’s All Here podcast. “That would be my prediction right now is that he’s going to the Raiders because I think the Tom Brady connection there will be strong. That’s where the murmurings in the league have him going. Las Vegas.”

x: @raidersbeat