Fresh off his first stint as interim head coach, Antonio Pierce faces a unique offseason with the Las Vegas Raiders. Unlike other new head coaches who got a head start, Pierce’s official promotion came late, delaying the Raiders’ offseason program due to a specific NFL rule, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.
While other teams with new leadership are already underway, Pierce waits to kick things off in Vegas.
A little-known NFL rule throws a curveball at the Raiders’ offseason plans. According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, since Antonio Pierce coached more than two games as interim last season, he doesn’t qualify for the extended offseason program granted to new head coaches.
This means the Raiders, with a nearly revamped coaching staff and front office, will begin their program later than most new regimes. While it seems unusual to deny them the same benefit as other teams, Pierce’s familiarity with the organization might lessen the initial adjustment period.
