Many in the media are not high on the Las Vegas Raiders this season. While it's easy for fans to get annoyed by that, it's also easy to understand the lack of confidence. Antonio Pierce showed a lot of promise as a head coach last season but there are still a lot of unknowns with him.

Until Pierce and the Raiders can prove that they're the real deal, nobody is going to respect them, especially the folks at ESPN. In fact, Ben Solak recently went through and ranked every coaching staff in the NFL and had the Raiders all the way at the bottom.

Solak, in his column, mentioned that the Raiders have a lot of potential, but he doesn't see the team reaching that potential this season. He explained that he's always suspicious of interim-to-head coach promotions, noting the success story of Jason Garrett and how Pierce's future doesn't seem as bright.

He also questioned the experience of the Raiders' coaching staff, pointing out that many of the coaches, including Pierce, have not been in the league for a long time. He noted that Pierce was only a linebackers coach for Arizona State five years ago and that his coaching experience is limited.

Despite the team's improvement during the 2023 season, Solak cited that the Raiders were “plucky” under Pierce and that the “interim often enjoys an unsustainable emotional boost”. He went on to explain that while it is fun for a team to play for a beloved coach for a short period of time, it is only temporary. Solak is doubtful that Pierce has what it takes to sustain that emotional boost and believes that his inexperience will prevent the Raiders from reaching their potential.

Furthermore, Solak mentioned that Luke Getsy, the Raiders' offensive coordinator, had two failed years of building around Justin Fields in Chicago before joining the Raiders. He claimed that the Bears' offenses of the past few seasons were “maddeningly sloppy on the field.” Solak also expressed concerns about the fact that the Raiders were not able to draft a quality quarterback to be the starter this season, as he believes it will take time for Pierce to “grow on the job” and build a strong culture.

Despite the concerns, Solak sees potential in Pierce. He mentioned that the Raiders’ defense under Pierce and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham is strong. He stated that Graham is a good coach and that Pierce has a chance to become a successful coach, but that it will take time.

At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter where the team ranks in preseason media lists. All that matters is how the team actually plays once the regular season starts.

The Raiders are a team with a lot of potential, but they also have a lot of unknowns. Solak's assessment of the Raiders' coaching staff is just one opinion, and it remains to be seen how the team will perform this season.

A Fan's Perspective

While the team's performance under Pierce in the second half of last season offers a glimmer of hope, Solak's assessment is not entirely unreasonable. It's easy to see why Solak has concerns about the Raiders' coaching staff, especially considering Getsy's underwhelming track record in Chicago. However, there is a chance that Pierce and the Raiders will be able to prove Solak wrong. If Pierce can continue to build a strong culture and lead the team to success, he might be able to silence the doubters. The Raiders have a lot of talent, and with the right coaching, they could be a force to be reckoned with in the AFC West. But if they don't get their act together quickly, they might be in for another long season.

What's Next for the Raiders?

The Raiders have a lot to prove this season. They need to show that they can overcome their inexperience and become a consistent winner. Solak's assessment of the Raiders' coaching staff is just one opinion, and it remains to be seen how the team will perform this season. The Raiders will have a chance to prove their doubters wrong and show that they're a team to be reckoned with. The Raiders will need to find a way to overcome the skepticism from analysts and pundits and prove that their coaching staff can lead the team to success.