Chiefs Training Camp Features Key Raiders Cast-Off as Surprise Guest

The Kansas City Chiefs had an unexpected visitor at training camp on Wednesday, August 6, as former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce was seen walking out to practice with KC defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

Even more surprising, Pierce was fully decked out in Chiefs gear from head to toe, almost as if the ex-rival had joined the coaching staff overnight.

Of course, Spagnuolo and Pierce share a bond that supersedes their days with the AFC West foes. The Chiefs DC was once Pierce’s defensive coordinator when he was a linebacker with the New York Giants.

Still, it was odd seeing the Raiders’ most recent head coach repping Kansas City red, especially when you consider his Patrick Mahomes “rules” and outspoken Chiefs hatred. As the old saying goes, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!

Steve Spagnuolo Addresses Antonio Pierce’s Presence at Chiefs Training Camp, Compares Nick Bolton to Former Raiders HC

After practice, Spagnuolo took the podium and he was asked about Pierce stopping by training camp.

“Yeah, well I think you guys probably know this, Antonio and I have been close for a long time,” the Chiefs coordinator told reporters on Wednesday afternoon. “In ‘07, when I went to New York with the Giants, he was the MIKE linebacker.”

With a smirk, Spagnuolo then added that the “present day version of Antonio Pierce is Nick Bolton.”

“Listen, it’s guys like that — and obviously, I look at Antonio and what he’s like now, he became a coach, all the way to being a head coach — he obviously had that when he was a player,” the veteran defensive mind went on. “That’s a nice thing to have when you’re a defensive coordinator, a guy [who is] that cerebral.”

Spagnuolo concluded that he has “a lot of respect” for Pierce, and that his current Chiefs players have loved having him around practice here and there.

“He’s giving them feedback from a player’s standpoint, coach’s standpoint, head coach’s standpoint,” he added, joking: “Maybe we’ll ask him about some Las Vegas Raiders stuff.”

Although there was no mention of a staff position for Pierce just yet, it would not be shocking if the Chiefs hired him in some capacity at a later date, considering how highly Spagnuolo speaks of him.

Antonio Pierce Catches Heat for Chiefs Visit

As you’d expect, fans had some fun with Pierce after seeing him dressed in Chiefs gear.

“Antonio Pierce: I hate the color Red. Also Antonio Pierce: [image of him at Chiefs camp],” one KC fan wrote.

Another commented: “Oh, how things can change in just 18 months. Antonio Pierce said the Raiders had the recipe on how to beat the Chiefs. Now, he’s no longer their coach and is visiting camp in #ChiefsKingdom.”

On the Raiders side of things, Vegas supporters weren’t happy either.

“First Gruden, then [Gardner] Minshew. Now Antonio pierce. I hate KC,” one Raiders fan replied.

Bleacher Report NFL analyst and Raiders podcast host Moe Moton also jokingly criticized Pierce, stating: “Antonio Pierce is supposed to sit at home dripped out in Raiders gear. And when Steve Spagnuolo calls him, he’s supposed to yell, ‘Raaaaaiiideerrrrrs’ and hang up. Because Spags is the enemy. Forget AP’s coaching career, this about Raider loyalty over everything!”

Until the Raiders put together a team that can seriously challenge Mahomes and the Chiefs, they’ll keep running through head coaches like Pierce. Ironically, Spagnuolo was actually a finalist to replace the Raiders cast-off before they settled on Pete Carroll.