In a shift from their earlier stance, the Las Vegas Raiders are now on track to announce their starting quarterback for the 2024 NFL season after their upcoming preseason game, according to head coach Antonio Pierce.
This decision comes following the team’s first exhibition match, where Pierce stated:
“We’ve got to get ready to play football, and I think we’ve got enough film… to evaluate both quarterbacks to see how they’ll play.”
Currently, the competition is between veteran Gardner Minshew and second-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell.
O’Connell, who stepped up as the Raiders’ starter in the latter half of last season, led the team to a 5-5 record. Meanwhile, Minshew, known for his rollercoaster career, has bounced between starting and backup roles, most recently with the Indianapolis Colts, where he started 13 games last season, going 7-6.
In their first preseason game, O’Connell started, completing seven of nine passes for 76 yards. Minshew took over in the second quarter, finishing with 117 yards and a touchdown. Despite the Raiders being expected to draft a quarterback in the first round, they opted to strengthen other areas, leading to this two-man competition.
The next week of practice and the preseason game against the Cowboys will be critical in determining who secures the starting job. All eyes will be on the team as they make this pivotal decision.
