Raiders’ firing opens door for ideal Giants defensive reunion

The New York Giants weren’t the only team in the NFL that had a miserable 2024 season. The Las Vegas Raiders suffered a brutal season of their own as they went 4-13 on the year. Just like New York, they also endured a ten-game losing streak, marking the first time they had a streak that long since the 2014 season when they started 0-10.

Even though John Mara opted to keep Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen for another year with the hope of turning things around for Big Blue, Raiders owner Mark Davis did not share the same patience. After just one full season as head coach, he fired Antonio Pierce, who had taken over as the team’s interim head coach in 2023 when Josh McDaniels was let go.

Pierce’s name may sound familiar—he was a linebacker for the Giants for five seasons. With his ties to the franchise and New York’s defense being one of the league’s worst last season, his firing by Las Vegas could potentially set up a reunion with the G-Men.

Antonio Pierce's firing by the Raiders could set up a reunion as Big Blue's new DC

Despite Pierce’s poor record as a head coach, going 9-17 in nearly two years at the helm, the Giants should consider bringing him back as their new defensive coordinator. Even though defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, as of now, still stands as the Giants’ defensive play-caller, the defense last season under his leadership wasn’t sharp at all.

Pierce, being a former linebacker for the Giants and a Super Bowl winner with the franchise, could be exactly what this team needs.

Big Blue’s defense ranked 24th in the NFL in total defense this past season, giving up an average of 346.8 yards per game. Even though the Giants’ pass defense ranked eighth in the NFL in 2024, their run defense was a completely different story, ranking 27th and allowing an average of 136.2 rushing yards per game. That is not sustainable.

Additionally, the Giants’ defense had just five interceptions all season long, which ranked dead last in the league. With all these poor defensive stats from last year, it’s really hard to justify running it back with Bowen calling defensive plays for New York.

That is why the front office must consider making a change and bringing in Antonio Pierce. With his experience as a linebacker and his history with the franchise, Pierce’s presence and leadership could vastly improve a defense that already has plenty of talent.