Begas Vaby are obviously huge fans of the Las Vegas Raiders and will be cheering them on in the 2024 NFL season.
Here we take a look at the history of the team, their head coach Antonio Pierce – and their quarterback options for the 2024 season.
History of the Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders are a professional football team based in the vibrant Las Vegas metropolitan area, proudly representing the city in the National Football League’s (NFL) American Football Conference (AFC) West division.
Originating in 1960 as the Oakland Raiders, they’ve since undergone various relocations and name changes.
Initially established as a founding member of the American Football League (AFL), they seamlessly transitioned to the NFL in 1970 during the AFL-NFL merger.
The Raiders have cultivated a rich history characterized by an impassioned fan base renowned for their fierce loyalty and distinctive culture.
During their tenure in Oakland, the Raiders clinched three coveted Super Bowl championships, triumphing in 1976 (Super Bowl XI), 1980 (Super Bowl XV), and 1983 (Super Bowl XVIII), solidifying their status as a dominant force in the league.
The team also boasted an array of Hall of Fame players, including the iconic Al Davis, the team’s visionary owner and coach who played a pivotal role in shaping the Raiders’ identity.
In a landmark move in 2020, the Raiders transitioned to Las Vegas, Nevada, fulfilling their quest for a new stadium and igniting excitement among local fans and supporters worldwide.
This relocation to Las Vegas marked the dawn of an exhilarating new era for the franchise.
Home games are now played at the magnificent Allegiant Stadium, strategically situated near the iconic Las Vegas Strip.
As the Raiders embark on this thrilling chapter in their journey, they remain steadfast in their commitment to upholding their esteemed legacy while striving for excellence on the NFL stage.
There have been 23 head coaches in Oakland, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas franchise history – but the current Raiders head coach is Antonio Pierce.
Who is Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce?
Antonio Pierce was appointed as the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders by owner Mark Davis on January 19, 2024.
He ascended to this role following a nine-game tenure as the team’s Interim Head Coach during the 2023 season.
Pierce, a nine-year NFL veteran player and former Super Bowl Champion, team captain, and Pro Bowl selection, embarks on his third season with the Silver and Black after initially joining the Raiders as linebackers coach in 2022.
Las Vegas Raiders’ quarterback options for the 2024 season
The Las Vegas Raiders have signed unrestricted free agent QB Gardner Minshew II to provide competition for Aidan O’Connell in the 2024 season.
Minshew joins the Silver and Black following a stellar 2023 season with the Indianapolis Colts, where he earned a Pro Bowl nod.
In his tenure with the Colts, Minshew showcased his prowess by playing in all 17 games, starting in 13, and completing 305-of-490 passes (62.2%) for 3,305 yards, tallying 15 touchdowns, nine interceptions, and boasting an 84.6 passer rating.
He also displayed versatility by rushing for 100 yards and three touchdowns on 34 attempts, setting career highs in both completions and passing yards.
Notably, Minshew took over as the starter in Week 6, leading the Colts to a 6-6 record for the season, including an impressive four-straight wins from Weeks 9-13.
His performance was highlighted by achieving a passer rating of 100.0+ in six games during the season, a feat that tied for the 11th most in the NFL.
Additionally, in Week 7 against Cleveland, Minshew made history by rushing for two touchdowns and passing for two touchdowns, becoming the first player in Colts history to achieve this milestone and one of only five players to do so in 2023.
Standing at 6ft 1ins and weighing 225 pounds, Minshew embarks on his sixth NFL season in Las Vegas, having previously played for Jacksonville (2019-20), Philadelphia (2021-22), and Indianapolis (2023).
Minshew, originally drafted by the Jaguars as a sixth-round pick (178th overall) in the 2019 NFL Draft, boasts an impressive career resume, having appeared in 49 games (37 starts) and amassing 9,937 passing yards, 59 passing touchdowns, 24 interceptions, and a 90.2 passer rating.
Notably, his 2.5 passing touchdowns to interception ratio ranks among the top 10 in the NFL among quarterbacks with at least 1,400 attempts since 2019.
After signing Gardner Minshew II, Raiders head coach Pierce told the Raiders’ official site:
“He beat us [Week 17 of the 2023 season], let’s start there. He’s a competitor, we want that room to be as competitive as possible.
“Aidan [O’Connell] did a hell of a job last year, but like any other position on our team, we want to make that as competitive as possible.
“One thing about Gardner [Minshew] that you see throughout his career, he finds a way, right? So, that’s going to make our room better.
“He has been through a lot of adversity; you want that experience as well in there. So, to me, it’s a good fit, and it’s a culture fit. Wild boy right there. I like the personality.”
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