It’s another playoff-less season for the Las Vegas Raiders. The franchise must look toward the 2024 NFL season and whether they want to keep Antonio Pierce as their head coach. However, the Silver and Black are considering all options, including Jim Harbaugh.
Pierce has had some high moments, like beating the Kansas City Chiefs on the road on Christmas Day. There have been some low moments, such as the losses to the Minnesota Vikings and Indianapolis Colts.
Now it’s up to Raiders owner Mark Davis to decide whether he believes in Pierce or cannot resist going after another big-name head coach again.
Are the Raiders ready to pursue Jim Harbaugh?
Harbaugh approaches the final game of the 2023 college football season, competing for the National Championship with Michigan. Regardless of the outcome against Washington, numerous NFL teams, including Las Vegas, are eager to engage in discussions with the former San Francisco 49ers head coach.
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported on Saturday that the Los Angeles Chargers are actively exploring the possibility of speaking with Harbaugh, who recently celebrated his 60th birthday. The Raiders are also considering the option of engaging in discussions with him.
The Raiders axed Josh McDaniels and general manager David Ziegler on Halloween. Since then, interim coach Antonio Pierce, boasting a 4-4 record, has left a positive impression, orchestrating an upset win against the Chiefs on Christmas Day. Rapoport and Pelissero anticipate that Pierce will interview for the full-time position.
However, they note that Davis, a long-time advocate for a high-profile figure in Las Vegas, has consistently desired a big name. Harbaugh, who began his coaching journey with the franchise as an assistant under Bill Callahan, perfectly aligns with Davis’s vision.
Additionally, Harbaugh retained agent Don Yee, who has represented high-profile NFL clients such as Tom Brady, who’ll likely be a minority owner of the Raiders. Could there be discussions between Brady and Harbaugh through their mutual representative?
Will the Chargers beat the Raiders for the big name?
If the Raiders decide to go with Pierce or another name for the head coaching position and not Harbaugh, they could still see the current Michigan man twice a season in the AFC West. Rapoport and Pelissero claim that many people in the league think Harbaugh would prefer the Chargers as his landing spot.
The Chargers are set to simultaneously conduct searches for a new coach and GM following the termination of Brandon Staley and Tom Telesco on Dec. 15. However, their information also reveals that Harbaugh is just one of many names Los Angeles is doing homework on.
*Top Photo: Associated Press
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