Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis has reportedly emphasized the importance of winning to head coach Antonio Pierce during the final stretch of the season. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Davis has prioritized victories over securing a higher draft position, and Pierce has delivered with back-to-back wins.
While Davis is reportedly pleased with the team’s recent success and optimistic about retaining Pierce, no decision about his future has been made. The Raiders began the season 2-12 and seemed destined for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, recent wins against the Jacksonville Jaguars (19-14) and the New Orleans Saints (25-10) have pushed them to the No. 8 spot in the draft order heading into their Week 18 matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Chargers, with a 10-6 record, have already secured a playoff berth but aim to solidify the No. 5 seed with a win, setting up a first-round game against the Houston Texans. Head coach Jim Harbaugh has indicated that the Chargers plan to play their starters, making the Raiders’ quest for a three-game win streak more challenging.
From an organizational perspective, a loss may benefit the Raiders by improving their chances of drafting a franchise quarterback. Veteran Gardner Minshew has struggled this season, and while Aidan O’Connell has been serviceable, he does not appear to be a long-term solution. Top quarterback prospects Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward are likely to be selected within the top five picks, and several teams in need of quarterbacks, such as the Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, and New York Giants, could select them early.
Pierce, however, is focused on winning, as his future with the team remains uncertain. Despite a 4-12 record this season, much of the team’s struggles can be attributed to poor quarterback play. It remains to be seen how Pierce would fare with stronger performances at the position.
