LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Las Vegas Raiders' 34-20 loss to the LA Chargers on Sunday brought a disappointing season to a close.
A 4-13 record marks the franchise's fifth-worst ever and its worst since 2014. However, the team winning two of its final three games has players heading into the offseason with more optimism.
On Tuesday, after this report was first published, the Las Vegas Raiders announced they would part ways with head coach Antonio Pierce.
Raiders
Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce fired after one season, NFL confirms
That news came the day after the team cleaned out their lockers to officially mark the end of what was a bumpy four months. With some players impending free agents on expiring contracts, it was a chance for potential goodbyes.
"It's bittersweet," safety Isaiah Pola-Mao said. "This might be the last time you see some of the guys. It's kind of crazy. You kind of want to take it all in, dap everybody up one more time. Tell everybody how much they appreciate them and all the hard work they go through and put their bodies through."
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Pierce's job security had made headlines on the NFL's so-called "Black Monday."
Monday, Pierce told media he "hasn't been told anything different" regarding remaining head coach next season. He said considered talk of his job being in jeopardy "chatter."
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"It's only coming from outside, it's not coming from inside the building," Pierce said. "To me, there's nothing to clear up until I hear it inside the building."
Since Sunday's games, the 4-13 Patriots fired head coach Jerod Mayo after one season and the 3-14 Jaguars fired head coach Doug Pederson after three seasons.
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While cleaning out their lockers, some players expressed admiration for how Pierce led the team through a tumultuous season.
"He just kept us going," cornerback Jack Jones said. "He kept us looking forward and not behind, and I think that was a big thing. He kept everybody locked in on next game and not last game."
"He's the main voice of the character of the team and the leader," cornerback Nate Hobbs said. "I think his character alone at times carries this team. We just bought in. We believed in him and he believed in us."
The Raiders have the sixth overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. With quarterback again a position of need this offseason, Las Vegas will be a team to watch when free agency begins in March.
