Las Vegas Raiders star edge-rusher Maxx Crosby wants interim head coach Antonio Pierce back on the sidelines full-time, and he’s ready to go to tremendous lengths to accomplish it.
Shortly after reports surfaced that Crosby may force the Raider’s hand and request a trade if Pierce didn’t return, the three-time Pro Bowler all but confirmed the ultimatum on his podcast, “The Rush.”
“I wanna be a Raider for sure,” Crosby added. “But, if we go in a different direction, you know, there’s nothing that’s off the table.”
Crosby isn’t the only one lobbying for Pierce, who led the Raiders to a 5-4 record after taking over for the dismissed Josh McDaniels in Week 9. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network stated that the Raiders’ locker room is “united” around the linebackers coach-turned-head man.
Rapoport reports the Raiders have yet to launch a head-coaching search and are still in the mix for big names like Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh. However, if they were to reject the player’s request to have Pierce back to pilot the ship, a mutiny may erupt, dooming the new dictatorship before it gets off the ground.
Crosby sounded naturally upset over the situation. While his desire to stay a Raider isn’t up for question, he looks poised to carry out his threat.
“I made it loud and clear that I want to remain a Raider for life. I want to be here. I want to win here. I want to retire here,” Crosby remarked. “But if we go and start from begin again, I mean, I gotta consider everything. I mean, everything.”
The 26-year-old has three seasons remaining on a four-year contract that will pay him $19 million in 2024 and $21 million in 2025 and 2026. However, the pact does provide a potential out after the 2025 season.
If Crosby were to beg for his way out of Las Vegas, he would have no shortage of suitors. Although he and his teammates hope it never comes to that, and the Raiders ultimately bring Pierce back into the fold.
“At some point, you gotta do what’s right. For the fans, for the future,” Crosby remarked.
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