The New York Giants' reported list of head coaching candidates includes former Las Vegas Raiders coach and Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce, according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan.

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, while interim head coach Mike Kafka will also reportedly be given an interview for the full-time position, Raanan reports.

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, following the midseason firing of former head coach Josh McDaniels.

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 and rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart sustain a concussion after previously being evaluated on three separate occasions since taking over as a starter.

The Giants had previously lost rookie running back Cam Skattebo and second-year wide receiver Malik Nabers to season-ending injuries in 2024. Daboll was hired by the Giants in 2022 and won the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year award during his first season, leading New York to a 9-7-1 record and its only postseason berth of his tenure.

Kafka has gone 1-5 in six games as interim head coach, defeating the Las Vegas Raiders, 34-10, for his lone win last Sunday (December 28).

Bill Handel