After a successful stint as the Las Vegas Raiders' interim head coach after the firing of Josh McDaniels during the 2023 campaign, the team hired Antonio Pierce as the full-time head coach in 2024.
And there is optimism that Pierce can continue turning things around in Las Vegas, as the Raiders are returning much of the same team that went 5-4 over the second half of last season under Pierce, plus a few upgrades on both sides of the ball.
But Blake Meek of TWSN sees a scenario in which the Raiders could part ways with Pierce after just one season in favor of hiring Hall of Famer and current Colorado head coach Deion Sanders.
Meek cites the possibility that the Raiders could draft Deion's son, Shedeur, as one of the reasons why the former NFL cornerback would take the job if it opens up.
That all smells like a path that Deion Sanders would love to have to become the head coach of the Raiders in 2025. Sanders could step into a team that has good trench play, his son at quarterback, and the ability to elevate a once great franchise back to greatness. Sanders’ personality would fit in absolutely great in Vegas, and Mark Davis isn’t afraid to go out and make a splash that might be controversial to some. Sanders could help elevate that offense, like we saw at Colorado. Sanders would bring excitement and eyes to the Raiders that haven’t been there in quite a while. This makes so much sense for not only the Raiders as a team, but Sanders and the Raiders brand as well.
Based on the level of praise Sanders had for the franchise recently, he would likely at least be intrigued by the idea of becoming the next Raiders head coach at some point. However, it would take a lot for that to happen as soon as 2025.
The Raiders would have to be an absolute disaster for Pierce to be tossed aside after just one season, and that isn't likely to happen since Las Vegas has a good enough roster to compete for a playoff spot in 2024.
And, knowing that, it will be difficult for the Raiders to get their hands on Sanders because they aren't likely to be picking that high in next year's draft, nor do they figure to be within striking distance for a trade up to get him.
Now, none of this is to say that hiring Sanders isn't incredibly intriguing, because it most certainly is. But the chances of it happening in 2025 are slim, at best.
