Antonio Pierce Addresses Raiders’ Plan at Quarterback Ahead of NFL Draft

The Las Vegas Raiders coach discussed the team’s approach to the 2024 NFL draft when it comes to the quarterback position.

Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce spoke with reporters at the NFL scouting combine on Wednesday, and he offered some insight into the team’s view of the quarterback position heading toward the 2024 NFL draft.

While the ultimate decisions on draft strategy will come down to general manager Tom Telesco, Pierce is making it clear what he’s looking for under center—a fierce competitor who’s unafraid to lock horns with the mighty Kansas City Chiefs.

“I just want a leader,” Pierce told reporters in Indianapolis. “I want a guy that can lead, that wants to compete. I want a guy that’s not afraid of a challenge, because this is a big challenge that we have in front of us. We’ve got the world champs in our division again. You know what you have to deal with each and every year as long as you have Patrick Mahomes in our division. … I want somebody that says: ‘You know what? I am up for that challenge.’”

Antonio Pierce on what he is looking for in a QB: pic.twitter.com/PBYH0i3BjO

— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) February 28, 2024

Pierce earned the full-time head coaching role with Las Vegas after taking over at midseason for former coach Josh McDaniels in 2023. In nine games as the interim coach last season, Pierce went 5–4 and earned the respect of Raiders players in the process.

It won’t be easy for the Raiders to compete in a division that features the back-to-back Super Bowl champions, but Pierce and the Raiders hope that finding a quarterback this offseason will help close the gap.