The 2024 NFL Draft saw an impressive start for quarterbacks, with six being selected within the first 12 picks. The Las Vegas Raiders, however, held the 13th overall pick, choosing to bolster their team under the guidance of head coach Antonio Pierce. This offseason, the Raiders signed Gardner Minshew to a two-year, $25 million contract, $15 million of which is guaranteed, aiming to add depth and experience to their quarterback ranks.
Quarterback Competition
Minshew's role was far from guaranteed, as he was set to compete with Aidan O'Connell, a fourth-round pick from the 2023 draft, for the starting position. The battle for the starting spot played out in the preseason games, and both quarterbacks had ample opportunities to prove their worth.
In a recent home game against the Dallas Cowboys, the Raiders suffered a 27-12 loss. Minshew completed 10 of 21 passes for a total of 95 yards. Meanwhile, O'Connell had mixed results; he threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Harrison Bryant but also had a 69-yard interception return for a touchdown by Dallas defensive back Kemon Hall. O'Connell, tasked with a two-point conversion attempt after his touchdown pass, failed to execute.
Coach Pierce's Evaluation
Coach Antonio Pierce has been methodical in his evaluation process, reflecting on various stages from OTAs to the current state of preseason competition. Pierce shared, "I'm going all the way back to OTAs, minicamp, training camp, two preseason games. There's going to be a lot of factors obviously right? Command of the offense, the operational part. Efficiency. The turnovers are huge. That shows up. Taking care of the football is going to be important for our team."
The performance of both Minshew and O'Connell in the preseason games was crucial for their evaluation. As Pierce noted, "I mean, everything. You can't take the good and not take the bad. Wish it went well for both gentlemen. It just didn't. We'll look at it, and we'll evaluate. They both had opportunities. Aidan had 20 attempts, and Minshew had 21, so about as balanced as we can get it. We'll look at it."
Upcoming Decisions
Pierce's comments further highlighted the uncertainty around the starting quarterback position. "Everybody wants to see a player just take it and say, 'I'm your guy,' like I've been saying from Day 1. Obviously [that's] probably not the case." The even distribution of attempts between Minshew and O'Connell underscores the thoroughness of Pierce's evaluation process.
The head coach has made it clear that the starters will not participate in the third preseason game, allowing time for a final decision on who will be the Raiders' starting quarterback. "Yeah, we've seen enough reps. Two games, like we talked about. Our guys are not playing in the third preseason game, our starters, so we'll sleep on it and make a decision in the next couple days," Pierce confirmed.
Antonio Pierce, who stepped up as the interim head coach during the midseason in 2023 after the dismissal of Josh McDaniels, now faces significant decisions as he leads the Raiders. His focus on efficiency and ball security will be crucial as the team heads into the regular season.
The quarterback competition, marred by ups and downs, will likely shape the immediate future of the franchise. Both Minshew and O'Connell have shown potential, but the ultimate decision will depend on their ability to command the offense and minimize turnovers—a recurring theme in Pierce's assessment.
As the Raiders inch closer to the regular season, the spotlight remains on their quarterback situation. With Pierce's meticulous evaluation process and emphasis on operational efficiency, the Raiders hope to make an informed choice that will steer the team towards success. Only time will tell who will lead the team on the field, but one thing is clear: the decision will be made with great care and consideration.