Raiders' Maxx Crosby Tweets 'Hire AP' amid Rumors Antonio Pierce Has Titans Interview

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby is lobbying for Antonio Pierce to be the team's full-time head coach as interest in the team's interim boss picks up around the league.

After NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported Friday that Pierce will interview for the Tennessee Titans head coaching job, Crosby posted Friday on X, formerly known as Twitter:

In addition to interviewing for the Titans job, Garafolo reported Friday that Pierce is "firmly in the mix" to be Las Vegas' full-time head coach in 2024.

Pierce took over as interim head coach of the Raiders after Josh McDaniels was fired in November and he led the team to a 5-4 record to close out the year.

In addition to Crosby, Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams told reporters earlier this month that he and much of the team want Pierce to be named the next head coach.

Despite not making the playoffs, Pierce certainly won the team over through the final two months of the season.

Rookie defensive end Tyree Wilson told The Athletic's Vic Tafur last month that the biggest difference following the coaching change was "the energy, along with the buy-in and camaraderie."

"Everyone is coming out to practice every day and working hard, trying to be better each Sunday," he said. "We know if we execute what the coaches want, we are going to win."

The level of respect for a coach can certainly impact how a team performs on the field, and if the players feel that Pierce can help the franchise turn things around, that can go a long way.

The Raiders haven't reached the playoffs since 2021, which was their only postseason berth in the last seven seasons. Whoever lands the franchise's head coaching job will be under a lot of pressure to turn the team into a perennial playoff contender.