Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Maxx Crosby recently spoke with Jenna Lemoncelli of the New York Post about why he might leave if the Raiders don’t offer interim head coach Antonio Pierce a permanent job.
“What I mean is sometimes being a leader is not the most popular thing to do. It’s not the easiest thing to do,” Crosby explained. “It’s not always the easiest or most popular route. And I know I spoke for myself. That’s what it means to be a leader. I spoke for the boys and for the organization. And that’s important to me.”
Prominent Raiders players such as Crosby and All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams publicly campaigned for Pierce to win the gig after compiling a 5-4 record as interim coach. The Raiders granted Crosby and Adams their wish in January.”I want to win,” Crosby Lemoncelli said. “If I get a chance to stand up for what everybody believes, I always will. I know I’m coming from a good place and I just want to win. I’ve been working hard all year. I am more than a coach and manager in this building. “Every day I’m here, I sacrifice myself and my body to help this team win. I hope everyone else has the same mindset.”
During the 2021 season, then-interim coach Rich Bisaxia led the Raiders to a playoff berth and received player support to take the job permanently. Team owner Mark Davis hired Josh McDaniels as a replacement, and Davis fired McDaniels on November 1, 2023. “So I think I have a right to speak my mind and share what I think is best for the team and that’s exactly what I did,” Crosby continued.
And I support him. “Some people had their own feelings and opinions, but in the end it was all white noise.”In hiring Pierce, the Raiders passed on notable options such as New England Patriots legend Bill Belichick, former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel and new Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh. Now, starting in September, it will be up to Pearce to repay the faith of the likes of Crosby and Adams.
