In a surprising turn of events, Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby has made it clear that he wants Antonio Pierce to be the team's full-time head coach. And according to recent reports from NFL.com's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, Crosby may take drastic measures if the Raiders fail to retain Pierce.

Sources indicate that Crosby is "likely to request a trade" if the franchise does not hire the 45-year-old coach. It is uncommon for a player to be so vocal about their preferences for a head coach, but Crosby's strong endorsement of Pierce is causing a stir among Raiders fans and management alike.

This revelation comes in the wake of reports from NFL Network's Mike Garafolo that Pierce is scheduled to interview with the Tennessee Titans, sparking Crosby's response. The Pro Bowl defensive lineman is drawing a line in the sand, fervently advocating for the Raiders to bring Pierce on board.

Pierce's credentials as an interim head coach are indeed impressive. He took over from Josh McDaniels on October 31 and led the team to a respectable 5-4 record. The highlight of his interim tenure came in a stunning 20-14 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on Christmas Day. It was the Raiders' first win against their division rivals since the 2020 season.

Under Pierce's leadership, the Raiders' defense made significant strides, finishing the season ranked ninth in points allowed per game. This was the team's first appearance in the top 10 in that category since 2002. The improved defensive performance contributed to the Raiders' overall record of 8-9.

However, history has shown that interim head coaches often struggle to secure the full-time job with their teams. Since 2000, only Mike Tice (Minnesota Vikings), Doug Marrone (Jacksonville Jaguars), and Jason Garrett (Dallas Cowboys) managed to remain in their respective positions for more than two seasons. The path from interim to long-term head coach has proven to be a challenging one.

As the Raiders continue their search for a new head coach, all eyes will be on the outcome of Crosby's trade request threat. It remains to be seen how the franchise will respond and whether they will prioritize the wishes of their star defensive end. The coming weeks promise to be filled with intrigue as the Raiders organization navigates this crucial decision that could have far-reaching consequences for the team's future.