5 video games into the 2024 season, the Raiders are 2-3. The group is coming off a 34-18 loss to the Broncos in Week 5. In that recreation, beginning QB Gardner Minshew was struggling and was finally benched by head coach Antonio Pierce. Backup QB Aidan O’Connell completed the sport for the Raiders.
After Sunday’s video games, Pierce stated there can be an open QB competitors this week main as much as their recreation on Sunday. Nonetheless, Pierce named Aidan O’Connell the beginning QB in Week 6 vs. the Steelers. Gardner Minshew would be the backup. This isn’t the primary time that Pierce has given O’Connell the beginning job. We’ll see how the 26-year-old can play in Week 6 vs. a tricky Steelers protection.
Gardner Minshew is being benched by the Raiders in Week 6; Aidan O’Connell to begin
QB information: The #Raiders are making a transfer, as coach Antonio Pierce has named QB Aidan O’Connell because the beginning QB this week.
Gardner Minshew, the starter so far, heads to the bench. pic.twitter.com/Qt6FyxtzGV
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 9, 2024
Forward of the 2024 season, the Raiders had an open QB competitors between Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell. Minshew is in his sixth skilled season along with his fourth completely different group. O’Connell was a 4th spherical choose by Las Vegas within the 2023 draft out of Purdue. In the end, Gardner Minshew gained the job and he began the primary 5 video games of the season for the Raiders. He’s did not throw multiple passing landing in a recreation this season. That manufacturing was not slicing it for the group offensively.
That’s why Antonio Pierce determined to go along with Aidan O’Connell in Week 6. The Raiders want a spark on offense and O’Connell has the chance to do exactly that. As a rookie in 2023, O’Connell performed in 11 video games for the Raiders and made 10 begins. He was 5-5 in his 10 begins, throwing for two,218 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. His greatest recreation was a 63-21 win in Week 14 vs. the Chargers. O’Connell threw for 4 touchdowns and 248 passing yards. Las Vegas would like to see the second-year QB make that form of affect on the offense in 2024.