Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce. Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders HC slightly changes tone on 'coin toss' story

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 5/10/24

One day after definitively dismissing rumors that his team used a coin flip to choose its first-round pick last month, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce wouldn't touch the topic on Friday.

Pierce wouldn't address Arnold with the local reporters - "I'm only talking about Raiders." https://t.co/NeeqbbVybb
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) May 10, 2024

During a Tuesday appearance on "The Next Round" podcast, Detroit Lions first-round pick Terrion Arnold claimed that Pierce called him after the draft.

Arnold said the coach told him that they had a "coin toss" to decide between selecting the Alabama product and Georgia tight end Brock Bowers.

Las Vegas ended up choosing Bowers with the 13th overall pick and Detroit selected Arnold at 24th overall.

Raiders assistant general manager Champ Kelly said on Wednesday regarding the matter that he "can't confirm that at all."

While Pierce wouldn't discuss Arnold's claims on Friday, he did say that the Bowers pick was an easy one.

Pierce called the pick of Bowers “a no brainer” pic.twitter.com/o7TnWVF1xi
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) May 10, 2024

"(Bowers is) probably one of the most dynamic football players coming from the tight end position in a long time and it's rare you get a guy like that that can line up as a slot receiver, (put) him in the backfield, reverse to catch the ball," the coach said. "I think more importantly, his toughness. Watching him block in the SEC, watching him get after guys, I mean that's what impressed me. Just a gritty player, more importantly a winner that can help us score points."

Las Vegas general manager Tom Telesco has also dismissed Arnold's story, saying that Bowers was essentially a unanimous choice.

More must-reads: