Antonio Pierce Suggests Magic Johnson Influenced Kliff Kingsbury’s Move to Commanders

In a recent revelation, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce appeared to confirm reports surrounding Magic Johnson’s role in enticing Kliff Kingsbury to join the Washington Commanders as their next offensive coordinator. The speculation emerged after Kingsbury, who had reportedly agreed to assume the same position with the Raiders, ultimately opted for Washington.

During a discussion on Ryan Clark’s podcast, The Pivot, Pierce alluded to Johnson’s involvement in the recruitment process, indicating his surprise at the turn of events. Pierce humorously remarked, “N-F-L — not for long,” emphasizing the fluidity of agreements until officially finalized. He further acknowledged Johnson’s persuasive abilities, quipping, “Listen, Magic Johnson’s pretty good. I guess he can still dish it out a little bit. If I’m losing to Magic, I’m OK with that.”

Pierce’s remarks shed light on the intriguing dynamics at play behind Kingsbury’s decision, particularly given Johnson’s storied legacy with the Los Angeles Lakers during the “Showtime” era. Despite Kingsbury’s reluctance to address his agreement with the Raiders and Johnson’s involvement publicly, speculation continues to swirl regarding the extent of Commanders ownership’s influence in the coaching search process.

Kingsbury’s appointment adds another layer of intrigue to the Commanders’ offseason strategy, fueling speculation about potential draft targets, particularly standout prospect Caleb Williams, whom Kingsbury previously collaborated with at USC. With the Commanders holding the No. 2 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, the possibility of selecting Williams hinges on the Chicago Bears’ decision with the top overall pick.

The fallout from Kingsbury’s change of heart has reverberated across the league, with the Raiders ultimately securing former Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy. Additionally, speculation looms over the Raiders’ quarterback situation, following a season of mixed performances under rookie Aidan O’Connell. Despite their late-season resurgence under Pierce’s interim leadership, the Raiders face uncertainties heading into the draft with the 13th selection.