Despite former head coach Josh McDaniels’ best efforts, the Las Vegas Raiders nearly salvaged their 2023 season, winning five of nine games under interim coach Antonio Pierce and keeping the AFC playoff race intriguing in the final several weeks.
Pierce not only won over the players in the locker room, but also owner Mark Davis, who gave the 45-year-old the permanent head-coaching position earlier this winter.
One of Pierce’s first jobs will be to overhaul a mediocre roster, which is primarily made up of players acquired by McDaniels and former head coach Jon Gruden.
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was suspended for the first two games of the 2024 season on Friday for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy, and he is anticipated to be fired, forcing Pierce to find a new signal-caller.
Additionally, running back Josh Jacobs requires a new contract, but it is unknown whether Vegas will pay the kind of money he is anticipated to fetch on the free market. Changes could also be coming on the defensive side of the ball, as the Raiders need to strengthen their front seven and secondary.
RBs Josh Jacobs, Ameer Abdullah; FB Jacob Johnson; WR Deandre Carter; TEs Austin Hooper, Jesper Horsted; offensive lineman Jermain Eluemunor, Brandon Parker; OGs Greg Van Roten, Jordan Meredith; and center Andre James.
Defence: DE. Bilal Nichols; DTs Adam Butler, John Jenkins; LB Curtis Bolton; DB Amik Robertson; Safety Isaiah Polo-Mao
