There are only two NFL head coaching jobs that are open right now, but there will likely be several more once Week 18 wraps up. The New York Giants moved on from head coach Brian Daboll early in the season, so they’ve had a head start in trying to figure out who will replace him.
Interim head coach Mike Kafka has gone 1-5, so it’s hard to imagine he’ll get a chance to be promoted to the permanent role. Even if they like Kafka, they still have to launch a full search to comply with NFL rules.
According to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, the Giants have already started to put together a list of coaches they plan to look at, which includes former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce.
“The first assignment is to find a new head coach. The Giants fired Brian Daboll almost eight weeks ago and named Mike Kafka the interim head coach,” Raanan wrote.
“The team had a head start on compiling a list of candidates that includes former NFL head coach Mike McCarthy, Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, former Raiders coach and Giants player Antonio Pierce and Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, among others. Kafka will also be given an interview.”
Pierce’s Stock Could Be Up
There aren’t many coaches who have improved their stock without coaching in 2025 as much as Pierce has. He had a rough first year as the Raiders’ permanent head coach and finished with a 4-13 record.
The team decided to replace him with legendary former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll. Under the former Super Bowl champion, the Raiders took a step back and are likely to finish with a 2-15 record and the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
There’s no way to argue against the notion that the Raiders have been worse under Carroll than they were under Pierce. And Pierce didn’t have a veteran quarterback like Geno Smith or a dynamic rookie running back like Ashton Jeanty to work with. Just because the Raiders have been worse under Carroll doesn’t necessarily mean Pierce is a great head coach, but it certainly helps his case.
Is Pierce Ready to Be a Head Coach Again?
Pierce has definitely shown some promise as a head coach. What he did as the Raiders’ interim head coach in 2024 was very impressive. When it comes to keeping a team motivated and ready to play every week, he’s as good as it gets.
His issue is that he’s never been a coordinator or playcaller at the NFL level. He also has very little experience coaching in the pros, so most of his connections are older coaches like Herm Edwards and Marvin Lewis. He doesn’t have relationships with a lot of bright young coaches he can fill his staff with.
It would make a lot of sense for Pierce to try to get an assistant coaching job on a high-level staff. He could learn a lot from coaches like Kyle Shanahan, Andy Reid or Sean McVay. Through that, he’d also be able to familiarize himself with more up-and-coming coaches around the NFL. If a head coaching job doesn’t come his way this offseason, he should do what he can to get on the staff of a playoff team, even if it’s just a linebackers coach job.
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