Raiders ignore criticism after victory, saying “We’re not doing this to lose”

Paul Gutierrez, ESPN Staff WriterDecember 23, 2024, 3:22 PM ET

Close Paul Gutierrez joined NFL Nation in 2013 and is the Las Vegas Raiders reporter. His multi-platform roles include writing for ESPN.com, television appearances on NFL Live and SportsCenter, and podcast and radio appearances. Prior to joining ESPN, Mr. Gutierrez spent three years as a multi-platform reporter at CSN Bay Area, covering the Raiders and Oakland Athletics, and anchoring the cable news show SportsNet Central. Mr. Gutierrez has voted for the Baseball Hall of Fame, is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America, and currently serves as president of the Las Vegas chapter of the PFWA. He is also a member of the California Chicano News Media Association and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Mr. Gutierrez is the author of “Tommy Davis’ Stories from the Dodgers Dugout,” “100 Things Raiders Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die,” and “If These Walls Could Talk: The Raiders’ Side.” He is the author of three books: Stories from the Line, the Locker Room, and the Lincoln Kennedy Press Box. Follow Paul on Twitter @PGutierrezESPN.

HENDERSON, Nev. — Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce announced Sunday’s 19-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars that the quarterback-needy team will have 2-6 spots in the 2025 NFL Draft. I don’t care at all about being lowered in rank.

For all the negativity that Raiders fans were screaming loudly about, there was no possibility of Las Vegas dropping out of the race for the No. 1 overall pick and drafting either Colorado QB Shedule Sanders or Miami QB Cam Ward.

“We’re not in it to lose,” Pierce said Monday. “We’re not doing this for somebody’s fantasy football team. We’re not doing this for somebody’s draft predictions. That’s not important to us. The only thing that matters is winning, and that’s all we want to do.” ”

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The Raiders (3-12) defeated the Jaguars, who fell to 3-12, ending a 10-game losing streak, their longest since 2014. Las Vegas also has wins over the Cleveland Browns (3-12) and Baltimore Ravens (10-5).

According to ESPN Research, the current draft order has the New York Giants (2-13) taking the No. 1 overall pick, followed by the New England Patriots (3-12), Jaguars, Browns and Tennessee Titans (3-1). (12 wins, 12 losses) has the No. 1 overall pick. In 6th place is the Raiders.

The Raiders will play the New Orleans Saints (5-9) on Sunday, then play at home against the Los Angeles Chargers (9-6) to finish the regular season, but they have already clinched a playoff berth. may have been acquired.

The last time the Raiders held the No. 1 pick was in 2007, when they used it to select JaMarcus Russell. Since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, the Raiders have had only three quarterbacks selected in the first round: Mark Wilson (1980), Todd Marinovich (1991) and Russell.

Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell avoided reacting to the team’s draft spot after Sunday’s win.

“I haven’t read anything, so I haven’t really listened to it,” O’Connell said. “Ignorance is definitely bliss and that’s how I’m rolling.”