Coming into the season, the largest query for the Las Vegas Raiders was who would begin at quarterback. After a detailed coaching camp battle, veteran Gardner Minshew gained the job over second-year man Aidan O’Connell, who ended final season because the group’s starter.
Now at 2-3 after 5 weeks, and with the season already liable to falling aside attributable to a ton of drama surrounding the group, Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce has determined to make a change on the place.
Following observe on Wednesday, Pierce introduced that he’s benching Minshew and named O’Connell the beginning quarterback for the Raiders Week 6 recreation towards the Pittsburgh Steelers, by way of Paul Gutierrez of ESPN:
Aidan O’Connell will begin at quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders towards the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, changing Gardner Minshew, coach Antonio Pierce introduced Wednesday.
Minshew gained a good coaching camp battle over O’Connell however was twice benched late in his 5 begins for the Raiders, in losses to the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos. The Raiders are 2-3 heading into Sunday’s recreation.
“I imply, it was a quarterback battle early on,” Pierce mentioned, “and at this level, I believe it’s greatest to go along with Aidan going ahead.”
Whereas Minshew was finishing a career-high 70.7% of his passes, he has additionally thrown 5 interceptions by 5 video games, with a 100-yard pick-six final week towards the Denver Broncos fully switching the momentum of that contest.
Now, O’Connell has the chance to assist the Raiders flip issues round, and he stays centered merely on the duty at hand and getting higher on daily basis:
“I undoubtedly know that the job is fluid, and so I’m simply attempting to do my greatest, actually on daily basis,” O’Connell mentioned. “Right this moment, I’m specializing in at the moment and probably not desirous about any days sooner or later. I’ve set to work on what we’re engaged on at the moment, attempt to get higher and take every day that method. And it’s onerous to do. Your mind needs to go backwards and needs to go forwards, however I believe simply specializing in the duty at hand is one of the best factor I can do.”
It gained’t be straightforward for O’Connell, who faces a Steelers protection that has been top-of-the-line within the league this season, led by perennial Defensive Participant of the 12 months candidate TJ Watt. As O’Connell talked about, the job is fluid, and Pierce didn’t rule out the opportunity of returning to Minshew if O’Connell can’t get the job completed.
However O’Connell will method this contest one of the best he can and do all the pieces in his energy to assist flip the nook for this Raiders group and are available out with a win.
Sadly, Aidan O’Connell and the remainder of the Raiders have been dealt a blow as defensive deal with Christian Wilkins underwent foot surgical procedure and is out indefinitely.
Wilkins was off to a powerful begin in his debut season for the Raiders after signing an enormous contract in free company, rating second on the group in sacks and QB hits and third in tackles for loss.
