The Las Vegas Raiders’ biggest priority this offseason is deciding on who will be their starting quarterback for the 2024 NFL season.
According to NFL.com, Gardner Minshew II could replace Aidan O’Connell as the starting quarterback in Vegas.
Antonio Pierce said Aidan O’Connell earned the right to get the first snaps of this offseason. The question is whether the second-year pro can hang on to the gig. Vegas paid Gardner Minshew the salary of a premium bridge quarterback but was shut out of the first-round signal-caller market in the draft. Heading into his first full campaign as head coach, Pierce has a massive decision: ride the youngster he showed faith in last season through the QB’s peaks and valleys, or hand the reins to Minshew, who showed he can run an offense and keep a team in the playoff hunt? The outcome likely depends on whether O’Connell makes significant strides this offseason. If it’s close, Minshew likely wins out.
O’Connell, the 135th overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft started 10 games in 2023 replacing the injured Jimmy Garoppolo.
He completed 62.1% of his passes for 2,218 yards, 12 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 83.9 passing rating in his rookie season.
Minshew, a 2023 Pro Bowler with the Colts completed 62.2% of his passes for 3,305 yards, 15 touchdowns nine interceptions and a 84.6 pass rating in Indianapolis.
Despite signing Minshew in free agency, the Raiders were still in the market for a quarterback approaching the 2024 NFL draft.
The Raiders failed to trade up to pick No.2 with the Washington Commanders to select LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Michael Penix Jr. was another quarterback on the Raiders’ radar but he went to the Atlanta Falcons with pick No.9.
Now with four months to go till the 2024 NFL season, the Raiders need to make a choice on their starting quarterback.
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