Former Raiders GM says Antonio Pierce couldn’t remodel living room

If the greatness of the Raiders is in the organization’s future, as Al Davis once said, that future should include more coaching changes than simply coordinator Luke Getsy and others on the offensive side of the ball. That’s according to the team’s former general manager Michael Lombardi, who said Monday that the Raiders need a complete remodel and head coach Antonio Pierce isn’t qualified to remodel a living room, let alone an NFL franchise.

Lombardi discussed the state of the Raiders with former quarterback Rich Gannon, who garnered MVP honors and led the franchise to the Super Bowl in 2002. Since losing to the Buccaneers in that game, the Raiders have made just two playoff appearances, losing Wild Card games in 2016 and 2021.

“At some point you have to look at the whole operation,” Gannon said on Monday’s edition of VSiN Live. I’m hoping that’s what is going to happen at the end of the season. I can’t imagine Antonio Pierce will be back next year.”

If that proves true for the Raiders (2-7), whose setback at Cincinnati last week marked a fifth straight loss, one candidate would be internal. The Raiders reportedly have brought in their former head coach, Norv Turner, to lead their offense. Turner will get additional time to prepare for the rest of the season with the Raiders on their bye week.

What’s fascinating is how one of the team’s new owners, Tom Brady, will impact the decision. Rarely has a former player, let alone the greatest player in the history of a sport, carried so much influence. And whether owner Mark Davis listens to Brady or someone else, Gannon hopes it helps change the franchise trajectory.

“I don’t know who he’s listening to,” Gannon said. “Mark has had a lot of people in his ears over the years. I don’t know he’s listening to and if he’s getting the right advice.”