Gardner Minshew, known for his ability to inject energy into games as a backup quarterback, has been named the starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders as they prepare to kick off their season next month.
Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce announced the decision, stating that Minshew’s experience and command of the offense set him apart from his competitor, Aidan O’Connell.
Pierce emphasized that Minshew demonstrated qualities during practice that translated well into game situations, although he acknowledged that there is still room for improvement as the team moves into the first quarter of the season.
The Raiders will conclude their preseason with a game against the San Francisco 49ers, before opening the regular season against the Los Angeles Chargers on September 8th.
Minshew, entering his sixth NFL season, previously came close to leading the Indianapolis Colts to the playoffs last year after stepping in for injured rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson.
This offseason, he signed a two-year, $25 million contract with the Raiders, where he faced competition from O’Connell, who had a solid rookie year with Las Vegas. Despite a close competition, with neither quarterback definitively outperforming the other, Pierce decided to go with Minshew, citing his infectious personality and leadership qualities.
However, Pierce made it clear that O’Connell, a promising young talent, could still see significant playing time this season. As the Raiders prepare for their final preseason game, the team remains focused on refining their performance and ensuring Minshew is ready to lead them into the regular season.
