The Las Vegas Raiders have designated Gardner Minshew as their starting quarterback for the 2024 season, but his position may not be secure for the entire year.
After a disappointing preseason performance against the Dallas Cowboys, where Minshew completed just 10 of 21 passes without leading a touchdown drive, questions have emerged about his long-term viability as the team’s starter.
While Dak Prescott, the Cowboys’ starting quarterback, didn’t play in the game, another Dallas quarterback, Trey Lance, may have caught the Raiders’ attention. Lance, who was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, completed 15 of 23 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown. Despite being only 24 years old, Lance has only started four NFL games, leaving his potential largely untapped.
Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal speculated on August 17 about the possibility of the Raiders trading for Lance, considering his untapped potential.
Dallas had acquired Lance from the San Francisco 49ers last year for a fourth-round pick, and it’s unlikely his trade value has significantly increased. The Raiders might find it worthwhile to offer a similar deal, especially since Lance, even in his fourth season, is younger than their second-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell, who will turn 26 on September 1.
The Raiders’ current quarterback situation offers little to get excited about. Minshew is a seasoned veteran with limited upside, and O’Connell, while promising, is already older than most players in his position. Acquiring Lance could provide the Raiders with a developmental project who possesses significant potential.
Standing at 6-foot-4 with a powerful arm and decent mobility, Lance could offer the Raiders a glimmer of hope for the future, even if his accuracy remains a concern with a career completion rate of 54.9%.
On the other hand, the Cowboys might hesitate to part with Lance despite his limited role. Prescott’s future in Dallas is uncertain beyond this season, as he’s not under contract, and the team cannot use the franchise tag on him. Lance could serve as a valuable insurance policy for the Cowboys if Prescott chooses to leave in free agency. However, if another team shows interest and the Cowboys believe Prescott will stay, trading Lance could become a viable option.
As the season progresses, this situation could be one to watch closely, especially if the Raiders find themselves in need of a quarterback with Lance’s potential.
