Those who stepped inside the Las Vegas Raiders locker room on Thursday were given an unusual sight compared to other weeks.
Not one Raider was finger-pointing, having a shouting match, or ignoring the other. Instead, there were a countless number of smiles and laughs. And it comes in the aftermath of Josh McDaniels being fired.
‘A Lot of Smiling Today’ Helped Describe State of Raiders’ Locker Room
The Raiders pulled the Halloween stunner late Tuesday night across the league by pulling the plug on McDaniels after eight games. At 3-5, owner Mark Davis admitted he saw regression under the now former head coach.
But instead of a quieter locker room in the aftermath of a coaching change, there was the sight of All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams playing 1-on-1 basketball with Ameer Abdullah via NBC Las Vegas sports reporter Jesse Merrick.
The vibe in the #Raiders locker room is DEFINITELY different today
Davante Adams and Ameer Abdullah playing some pickup basketball after practice 🤣 pic.twitter.com/muHLI2YmKz
— Jesse Merrick (@JesseNews3LV) November 2, 2023
There was even a wrestling match going on amongst the offensive linemen, as described by ESPN Raiders reporter Paul Gutierrez.
That wasn’t all. Raiders insider for The Athletic, Vic Tafur, described the state in four words:
Happiest locker room ever.
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) November 2, 2023
Fellow Raiders insider, The Athletic’s Tashan Reed, added to Tafur’s post by giving his description of the sights and sounds of Las Vegas’ mood in the locker room.
A lot of smiling today https://t.co/6alqzozbbI
— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) November 2, 2023
Per these descriptions, it’s safe to say the Raiders are enjoying life without McDaniels.
The head coach only lasted 25 games with the franchise, ending his tenure with Vegas at 9-16. The Raiders’ last two one-sided results against the Chicago Bears (30-12 loss) and the Detroit Lions (26-14) helped seal his fate. General manager Dave Ziegler was also fired from his post.
MORE: Josh McDaniels Replacements — 7 Candidates for Raiders HC
Antonio Pierce is now the interim head coach, with Champ Kelly as the interim general manager. It already appears that the two are allowing the Raiders to be themselves and be free from McDaniels.
But was Las Vegas really celebrating McDaniels getting canned?
Davante Adams Responds to Celebration
Many fans believed Adams was being held back by McDaniels — with his one-catch for 11 yards against the Lions as the latest proof. Fans began thinking that Adams would come into work overjoyed about the change.
Adams, though, denied that the Raiders players were celebrating McDaniels’ firing.
“Don’t get it confused. It’s not a celebration that we have a new coach and that changes were made,” Adams addressed reporters Thursday.
But still, the six-time Pro Bowler acknowledged that change was needed.
“One way or the other, it was time for some sort of change just to bring a little juice in and revitalize the team a little bit,” he said. “I think it’s more of a mindset that we’re trying to, not force, but just have moving forward to just be as positive as possible.”
Adams dove further into indicating the Raiders are aiming to take on a new mindset.
“So, I think that’s kind of the mindset we’re having, just trying to have fun and enjoy our time in this building because I think as we speak to each other, it’s been too much of, this has just been feeling like work too much and not having enough fun,” Adams said.
Adams’ name even floated as a trade idea on the eve of the league’s trade deadline. But the Raiders wound up making a change at the top instead — which keeps Adams on board. He says he’s perfectly fine with remaining in Las Vegas.
“As I’ve said countless times, I want to be a Raider,” Adams said. “So I want to try to make this work and do everything I can to keep it going now.”
He concluded his presser with a stirring message of what he wants to do with Pierce now leading him and the Raiders.
“I’m already ready to run through a wall for that man, so it’s a good feeling,” Adams said.
Maxx Crosby Chimes in on State of Locker Room
Maxx Crosby was another player who denied the team’s attitude involved the coaching and GM change. In fact, he credited McDaniels for pushing him to be a stronger leader on and off the field.
Still, Crosby outlined his requests inside the building moving forward.
“I want to be in a great environment,” Crosby said to reporters. “I want to show up to work every single day and feel great energy. I feel like that’s more important than anything. At the end of the day, you’ve got to enjoy this. If you don’t, you’re not going to have much success, and it’s already hard enough to go out there and do what we do.
“So, if you’re walking in the building, not enjoying it, it’s going to be even harder.”
As for Pierce coming in, Crosby informed the Vegas media that he’s got a great deal of respect for “A.P.” and described him as a “leader of men.”
“It’s going to be exciting when we get on that field together,” Crosby said about the new era of a Pierce-led Raiders team.
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