The Las Vegas Raiders offense has some strong items on it heading into the 2024 season, however head coach Antonio Pierce nonetheless wants to determine who would be the beginning quarterback for Week 1.
When Pierce took over halfway by way of the 2023 marketing campaign, he promoted Aidan O’Connell because the group’s QB1 in favor of Jimmy Garoppolo, and he helped lead the Raiders to a 5-4 report. Nevertheless, Las Vegas introduced in competitors for the beginning job after they signed Gardner Minshew to a two-year deal.
O’Connell and Minshew would possibly undertaking extra as profession backups, however each gamers have proven flashes as starters and can compete for the beginning place throughout coaching camp. Las Vegas received an opportunity to get some early evaluations in throughout OTAs, and each gamers made compelling circumstances for themselves.
Nevertheless, it seems O’Connell’s earlier expertise enjoying with Adams has given him a leg up within the competitors and the latter loves how the previous’s taken possession of the quarterback place per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN as transcribed by Doric Sam of Bleacher Report:
“O’Connell and Minshew within the spring went tit for tat; went after it. O’Connell most likely has the slight edge proper now based mostly on coming into 12 months 2, being extra vocal,” Fowler mentioned. “I’m advised he’s appearing like a beginning quarterback and Davante Adams loves him, which at all times helps definitely with the brownie factors.”
Whereas O’Connell might need an edge due to his relationship with Adams, Minshew is reportedly settling in properly offensively:
“However Minshew has are available in, proven some moxie. He’s already received the offense, he’s altering performs on the line of scrimmage, I’m advised,” Fowler mentioned. “He’s been good on the off-script stuff.”
With Minshew shortly studying the system, it may come right down to the wire as to who finally wins out forward of the common season. O’Connell would possibly symbolize extra youth and upside given his age and lack of expertise, however Minshew’s a confirmed commodity who can hold an offense on schedule and make performs off-script if wanted.
Whoever will get the job will certainly have earned it, given how neck-and-neck the competitors has been to this point. It’ll be fascinating to see who Pierce finally chooses.
NFL insider believes Raiders’ long-term reply at quarterback isn’t on roster
The Raiders is likely to be selecting between O’Connell and Minshew this season, but it surely’s unlikely that each are within the operating come subsequent offseason as a result of NFL insider Albert Breer believes the group’s long-term reply at quarterback isn’t on the roster.
