Antonio Pierce deflects question on draft coin flip: ‘Only talk about Raiders’

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce has no interest talking about the reported coin-flip draft choice between Terrion Arnold and Brock Bowers. While speaking with reporters on Friday, Pierce was asked about his reaction to Arnold saying the Raiders had a “coin toss” between him and Bowers who the Raiders chose at No. 13.

“Only talk about Raiders,” Pierce responded. This all began when Arnold appeared on The Next Round Podcast and revealed he came close to being drafted by Las Vegas.

“And, actually, the Raiders coach, they called me after the draft,” Arnold said. “They were like, ‘We actually had a coin toss between you and Brock Bowers. It landed on him.’”

Last week, Raiders general manager Champ Kelly spoke to reporters about Arnold’s comments. “I can’t confirm that at all,” Kelly said. “Terrion is a good player. I’m excited to watch his career and watch him play. But we drafted Brock. And we’re excited to get him here. And I don’t think anyone else in our whole draft room felt any other way.” Arnold, who recently played for the Alabama Crimson Tide, was selected by the Detroit Lions at No. 24 overall.

Antonio Pierce loves what Brock Bowers brings to Raiders

Pierce did talk to reporters about Bowers and said the Raiders were surprised that the two-time national champion was still on the board when they were on the clock. “We didn’t see that,” he said, per Sports Illustrated. “Didn’t see it. Didn’t think that he would be there at 13. I was just shocked to see it, and it was like, ‘Okay, you started counting. Wow, no brainer there.’”

Pierce also talked about how Bowers will help the offense improve in 2024. “Just different; I mean, you’re talking about probably the most dynamic player in college football at that tight end position in a long time,” Pierce said. “It’s rare you get a guy like that who can line up as a slot receiver, see him in the backfield, reverses, and catches the ball, but I think, more importantly, his toughness—watching him block in the SEC and get after guys. I mean, that’s what impressed me. Just a gritty player, more importantly, a winner, and he can help us score points.”

Bowers signed his contract with the Raiders on Friday. Along with helping the Georgia Bulldogs win back-to-back national titles, Bowers became the first player to win the John Mackey Award twice.