Insider shares bleak forecast regarding Raiders' Antonio Pierce after firings

Per Paul Gutierrez of ESPN, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce confirmed on Monday that firing offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, offensive line coach James Cregg and quarterbacks coach Rich Scangarello with the club at 2-7 was "100 percent" Pierce's decision. 

Mike Jones of The Athletic is among the noteworthy members of the NFL community who think Pierce simply became desperate to save a job he probably shouldn't have received in the first place. 

"Game management is a huge challenge for the rookie head coach," Jones wrote. "...This roster isn’t well constructed, but Pierce appears to be in over his head. It would be a surprise to see him make it to year two."

Multiple veteran Raiders players campaigned for Pierce to win the full-time job after he went 5-4 as interim coach last season. However, ESPN's Ben Solak noted in a lengthy piece published Tuesday morning that Pierce "is an extremely inexperienced coach" who had never been a head coach outside of a high school stint before last fall. 

"Pierce isn't much different now than he was last year," Solak added. "He's still a high-intensity culture guy. The players are just a lot less thrilled to be playing for him...He just feels like the guy running the team without much experience, any playcalling responsibilities and strong game management."

The Raiders became sellers long before Tuesday's trade deadline when they sent star wide receiver Davante Adams to the New York Jets last month. Barring a shocking development, neither Gardner Minshew nor Desmond Ridder is turning into an elite franchise quarterback for Las Vegas overnight. 

In short, Pierce seems to be on a ship that's sinking for reasons that go beyond any mistakes he's made on game days since September. 

Jones echoed others and linked the Raiders with former Tennessee Titans head coach and current Cleveland Browns consultant Mike Vrabel. Vrabel and Raiders minority owner Tom Brady were teammates with the New England Patriots and have what Jones called a "strong relationship." 

Brady reportedly could also reach out to former New England head coach Bill Belichick about possibly replacing Pierce. Belichick hasn't publicly denied rumors that have claimed he wants to return to the sidelines next year, and he and Brady are at least on speaking terms these days. 

Whether or not Brady will pick Las Vegas' next coach, it appears the writing is on the wall regarding Pierce's tenure with the organization.