LIVE* Tension rising: Raiders’ Jack Jones made the ‘business decisions’ Antonio Pierce was talking about……
Following the Las Vegas Raiders’ embarrassing Week 3 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, head coach Antonio Pierce called players out for what he perceived to be lackluster effort in the 36-22 loss.When addressing the media, Pierce said some players “made business decisions” in the loss, implying that there were guys who didn’t give max effort the entire contest.”As the game went on… I think there was definitely some individuals that made business decisions,” Pierce said, according to ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez. “And we’ll make business decisions going forward, as well.We got our ass whupped… I would have booed us too.One player who Pierce may have been talking about was cornerback Jack Jones, who was clearly not trying to tackle Panthers players on two different plays.Jones, who has been awesome overall since joining the Raiders last season, was cut by the Patriots in 2023 due to character concerns. That lack of effort is simply unacceptable and needs to be addressed.When asked about Pierce’s statement after the game, wide receiver Davante Adams and star edge rusher Maxx Crosby weren’t sure who Pierce was referring to.I feel like, I don’t know, this is tough for me to identify that,” Adams said. “I’m not sure.I don’t know. There’s a lot of things. You’ve got to watch the film,” Crosby said. “Just wasn’t good enough. Just a bad loss. I mean, s—ty. We didn’t play our best football.Rest assured, after watching the tape, they’re going to know that Jones was at least one of the players who made “business decisions” on Sunday.In the aftermath of the Las Vegas Raiders’ humiliating 36-22 defeat to the Carolina Panthers in Week 3, head coach Antonio Pierce didn’t hold back in criticizing the effort of some of his players. Pierce, who has a reputation for being a no-nonsense leader, pointedly suggested that certain individuals on the team were not giving their best during the game. He implied that some players were more concerned with self-preservation or making “business decisions” than putting forth the full effort needed to win.Pierce’s comments immediately drew attention, not only for the rare public call-out but also for the impact they might have on the team’s morale and cohesion moving forward. When a coach accuses his players of not trying hard enough, it opens a broader conversation about leadership, team culture, and accountability.In addressing the media, Pierce made it clear that some players didn’t seem to have the competitive fire needed to push through the challenges of the game. “As the game went on… I think there were definitely some individuals that made business decisions,” Pierce said, as reported by ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez. The phrase “business decisions” has long been used in sports to suggest that athletes opt out of making physically demanding or potentially risky plays to avoid injury or future complications. It’s often seen as an implication that a player is not putting the team’s success above personal concerns.Pierce’s statement didn’t end there. He went on to say, “We’ll make business decisions going forward as well.” This remark hints that the coaching staff may reevaluate playing time or roster spots for those players who failed to meet expectations during the loss. The possibility of disciplinary actions looms large, with Pierce signaling that the Raiders’ leadership won’t hesitate to bench players or make other moves if necessary to ensure full effort on the field.The loss to the Panthers was particularly galling for Raiders fans, not just because of the score but due to the team’s lackluster play throughout. The 36-22 scoreline doesn’t fully capture how one-sided the game felt at times. The Raiders’ defense, in particular, looked porous, allowing the Panthers to move the ball with ease. And though the offense managed to score, it was clear that something was off in the team’s energy and commitment.One of the players who might have been at the heart of Pierce’s criticism is cornerback Jack Jones. Jones, who has been a solid player for the Raiders since joining them in 2023 after being cut by the New England Patriots, appeared to lack effort on several plays. On two different occasions, Jones was seen making minimal attempts to tackle Panthers players, opting instead to hold back, which is exactly the kind of behavior Pierce seemed to be referencing in his postgame remarks.While Jack Jones has shown a lot of talent and promise during his time with the Raiders, his history of character concerns cannot be ignored. His release from the Patriots in 2023 was reportedly due to issues related to his attitude and work ethic. The Raiders took a chance on him, hoping that a change of scenery might help him turn things around. And for the most part, it has, as Jones has been a bright spot in the Raiders’ defense. But his lack of effort against the Panthers was glaring and may cause the coaching staff to reevaluate his role on the team.When asked about Pierce’s comments after the game, two of the Raiders’ star players, wide receiver Davante Adams and edge rusher Maxx Crosby, were hesitant to speculate on which teammates their coach was referring to. Adams, a veteran and team leader, appeared unsure. “I feel like, I don’t know, this is tough for me to identify that,” Adams said. “I’m not sure.” Crosby echoed similar sentiments, noting that it’s often difficult to fully assess a player’s effort without watching game film. “I don’t know. There’s a lot of things. You’ve got to watch the film,” Crosby said. “Just wasn’t good enough. Just a bad loss. I mean, s—ty. We didn’t play our best football.”Their reluctance to name names suggests that Pierce’s comments have sparked some tension within the locker room. It’s never easy for players to hear that their effort is being questioned, especially in a public forum. However, the bluntness of Pierce’s remarks may also serve as a wake-up call for the team, pushing everyone to look inward and assess whether they are truly giving their all.The Raiders, who entered the season with high hopes, now face serious questions about their direction. If players are indeed “making business decisions” on the field, it’s not just an indictment of individual performances but also of the team culture. The best teams in the NFL succeed because they foster a collective commitment to winning, with every player understanding their role and giving maximum effort, regardless of the situation.For the Raiders, the path forward will be about more than just Xs and Os. Pierce’s leadership will be tested as he tries to reignite a sense of urgency and accountability within the team. If he succeeds, the Week 3 loss could serve as a turning point. But if players continue to coast through games, the Raiders may find themselves struggling for answers in a season that is quickly slipping away. Fans will be watching closely to see how the team responds, and whether Pierce’s tough love approach can produce the results the franchise desperately needs.
