The Las Vegas Raiders fired Josh McDaniels after a 3-5 start to the 2023 season and replaced him with linebackers coach Antonio Pierce.
Despite missing the playoffs, Vegas had a resurgence during the second half of the season under Pierce, posting a 5-4 record and boasting one of the league's better defenses.
Due to his impressive work towards the end of last year and positive impact on the locker room, Pierce was given the full-time job as head coach in 2024, and it's no secret that the players support Pierce and welcome his differing coaching style compared to McDaniels, something Davante Adams reiterated during his appearance on the "All Facts No Brakes with Keyshawn Johnson" podcast.
Adams begins his discussion on Pierce and McDaniels at 30:03 during the interview.
"I think the big thing, in a nutshell, AP is the dude that's like, 'What do we got to do to win? I don't have an agenda exactly how I want to win the game, I don't want to out-coach him and come in and do this exactly to win the game this type of way. Let me evaluate what we have, the type of players we have, the type of mental they have," Adams explained.
The veteran wide receiver added that Pierce brings a different energy as head coach compared to McDaniels, who appeared miserable at times during his tenure in Las Vegas, according to Adams.
"Because if that's the energy you bring as a head coach -- that's the thing AP talks about, is checking your ego at the door, coming in that building with a smile on your face, regardless, because we're blessed to play the game. Which is a fact."
Adams also stated that Pierce's experience as a player makes it easier for him to connect with his players.
"Having played the game, I think AP got a little bit of a different approach and a different mindset that players like me, players like Maxx [Crosby] and even all the way down to the practice squad, they can relate to that."
Heading into the 2024 season, Pierce and the Raiders are expected to compete for a playoff spot in a loaded AFC. The roster is much improved compared to last season, and the team will look to build off a strong finish to the 2023 campaign.
