Following a Pro Bowl season in 2021 that saw him catch 103 passes for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns, Hunter Renfrow’s production clearly declined during the Josh McDaniels era.

After McDaniels took over as the Raiders’ head coach in 2022, Renfrow recorded just 36 receptions for 330 yards and two touchdowns last season while being limited to 10 games due to injuries.

And this season, Renfrow’s role in McDaniels’ offense was very limited, as he was targeted only 16 total times across eight the first eight games with just 10 catches for 92 yards on the season so far.

But with McDaniels getting fired this week, Renfrow has a new head coach and offensive coordinator, and the former Clemson star receiver says he’s “excited to go out there and just be myself” now that a coaching change has been made in Las Vegas and he has a new beginning.

“It’s fun when you have expectations, but you have nothing to lose,” Renfrow said to reporters. “So, let’s go out there and just have a great time, play hard and play fast, and we’ll be OK.”

Former NFL linebacker and current Raiders linebackers coach Antonio Pierce was named the interim head coach, replacing McDaniels, and Renfrow has already noticed a much different vibe around the team since the change was made.

“It went well,” Renfrow said of Pierce’s first meeting with the team. “I think he just let us be ourselves a little bit and let our hair down. Just have fun playing football again, not just walking on eggshells everywhere. Just to go out there and enjoy playing like we’re kids.”

Renfrow added that Pierce “being a player and just having different energy” is something that has gone over well with the team.

“I think there were things that McDaniels did really well, and I think every coach does well. I’m not going to sit here and say he was a bad coach because he was very good. He’s had success as an OC and that sort of the deal,” Renfrow said.

“But I think with AP being a player and just having different energy, it’s just different. We have a basketball goal in the locker room now, trying to have a little fun. Just trying to get back to having fun as a kid and playing the game you love, and I think that’s been his message.”

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