BREAKING NEWS: Raiders Head Coach Reveal Lions New Corner Back Signing is the Most Gifted Competitor He Has Ever Seen

Antonio Pierce, the Las Vegas Raiders’ coach, confessed it was difficult to see cornerbackC leave in free agency this year.

“Sad to see him go, but extremely proud of him,” Pierce said Monday at the owners’ meetings in Orlando.

The Detroit Lions signed Robertson to a two-year, $9.25 million contract this offseason. And, with Cameron Sutton’s recent release, he has a legitimate shot at a starting spot this season.

So, what do the Lions receive in Robertson?
“A ball hawk,” Pierce replied. “A guy who—you hate to admit it—has a little man’s complex. He plays much bigger than he is. You’re looking at a 5-foot-8, 5-9 competitor who is incredibly talented and gifted.

Robertson was originally selected in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. After starting only two games in his first two seasons, Robertson worked his way into increased playing time over the previous three seasons, starting seven games for the Raiders in 2022 and 12 last year. During those games, Robertson recorded four interceptions and 15 passes defended.

Beyond the stats, Robertson earned a reputation as a tough, physical outside cornerback despite his tiny frame (technically 5-foot-8, 187 pounds). That inherent roughness is one of the reasons he was drawn to Detroit and Dan Campbell in the first place.

“The swagger and energy that coach Dan (Campbell), how he coaches, that’s what you’re looking for in a coach,” Robertson said during his inaugural press conference last week. “He was a man who began out in the NBA as a player’s coach, in my perspective. That’s something I noticed in the Raiders’ coach, Antonio Pierce. He was the guy who kind of filled that description, and you want to play for a man like that, someone whose players will go to any length to support him.”

Robertson joins Carlton Davis, Emmanuel Moseley, and Khalil Dorsey as the team’s top four outside corners. While Davis is expected to be the team’s top cornerback, the other starting position is up for grabs. As has usually been the case with this coaching staff, the players will have to earn the second position. But, whether he secures the position in training camp or serves as the team’s top reserve cornerback, Pierce knows Robertson will give it his all in Detroit.

“He did an extremely good job for us, always battled, was always the next man up, and when he got the opportunity this year, he made the most of it.”