2024 was not kind to the Las Vegas Raiders and Antonio Pierce; however, there were players worth mentioning who overcame adversity this past season. Sin City’s head coach made sure to give praise ahead of Week 18.
A season of defeat, like the one the Silver and Black experienced, reveals a significant amount about its players. It’s not easy to keep going, week after week, amid the struggles—even if you’re a professional and are paid to play; at the end of the day, you want to win in the NFL. Pierce has witnessed firsthand how certain Raiders players have taken charge of their own fates.
Speaking to the media ahead of the Week 18 season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers, Pierce gave a little shout-out to players he felt stepped up when needed.
“Yeah. Aidan O’Connell, quarterback, just for what he went through. Isaiah Pola-Mao would be one. Big Mike [Michael Mayer] because we lost him for a couple of weeks, and I think he bounced back, had a great reception, and some good blocks in the game. And then, to be honest, I try to give credit to some guys that have just been consistent each and every game. Robert Spillane, I mean from day one, Week 1, has been a really, really good player for us. Tre’von Moehrig, another player that stands out, has just been consistent from day one. So those are ones just off the top of my head.”
Setting the stage for the Raiders’ future…
For his part, O’Connell’s season has been eventful. Gardner Minshew’s selection as the starter following training camp compelled O’Connell to observe the unfolding events. Once he got his shot, he succumbed to a hand injury. Upon his return here late in the season, AOC has made the most of his playing time. In fact, he’s kept the Raiders offense steady and turnover-free, with zero interceptions in the last two games while recording 499 passing yards of his own.
Should he be considered a starter next season? Pierce seems to think so.
The head coach also mentioned Pola-Mao, a player who is advocating for increased playing time in 2025. The defensive back has been playing at a noteworthy level since Marcus Epps went down. At one point, he earned the title of AFC Defensive Player of the Week, becoming only the second player since 1999 in franchise history to record multiple forced fumbles in a single contest.
With plenty of questions surrounding the futures of many Raiders defensive backs this offseason, Pola-Mao will be a name to watch as he’ll be a restricted free agent after the season.
*Top Photo: Getty Images
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