Mickey Togs

The New York Giants’ reported list of head coaching candidates includes former Las Vegas Raiders coach and Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce.

Pierce, 47, who started at middle linebacker for the Giants during the final five seasons of his nine-year playing career, was included on a list of candidates that also includes former NFL head coach Mike McCarthy, Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula.

Pierce went 4-13 during his only season as the Raiders’ full-time head coach in 2024, having previously gone 5-4 as an interim during the final nine games of the 2023 season. The former linebacker was hired full-time after an impressive late season run, which included an upset of the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day.

The Raiders, however, failed to duplicate that success during a 4-13 season in 2024, which included a 10-game losing streak. 

The Giants fired former head coach Brian Daboll in November after a 24-20 loss to the Chicago Bears, which saw them blow a 20-10 fourth quarter lead.

The New York Giants closed their 2025 season with a 34-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 18 at MetLife Stadium, finishing at 4-13 with back-to-back wins.

Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart impressed in his finale, going 22-of-32 for 230 yards and two touchdowns, including a highlight-reel 29-yard backhanded flip to tight end Daniel Bellinger and a 13-yard score to running back Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Tracy rushed for 103 yards, while Devin Singletary added a six-yard touchdown. Kicker Ben Sauls hit four field goals, and linebacker Bobby Okereke’s interception set up a score.

The Cowboys, resting starters in the second half, scored via Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah but couldn’t keep pace.

The late wins, however, hurt the Giants’ draft position, dropping them lower in the top five after holding the projected Number one pick just two weeks ago.

The Jets don’t play again until September. And that’s good news for everyone, except their opponents, after the Jets lost 35-8 to the Bills on Sunday.

They secured the No. 2 overall pick in the draft. And by trading away two of their best defensive players, they now have four picks in the first two rounds of the next two NFL Drafts, and a ton of cap space to make their team better.

But they still have a history of losing that they must overcome.

Their first year under coach Aaron Glenn was supposed to represent a new page, with a roster with plenty of talent and a lot of questions.

Instead, the former Jets star helped this franchise reprint a story it team knows all too well: one of the worst seasons in franchise history.