The Las Vegas Raiders enter the 2024 NFL season with a clean slate after the organization went through an overhaul.
The Raiders have a new regime under general manager Tom Telesco and head coach Antonio Pierce and so far the team has looked and felt much different than previous years.
Although Las Vegas might struggled to compete in the AFC West, the franchise seems to finally be heading in the right direction.
During the offseason, the biggest question the Raiders needed to answer is who starts at quarterback.
Aidan O’Connell showed real flashes in his rookie season last year, but the team also brought in veteran Gardner Minshew.
After a lengthy positional battle throughout OTAs and training, Pierce is reportedly giving the starting job to Minshew via Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
“The #Raiders are naming Gardner Minshew their starting QB, per sources. Coach Antonio Pierce just informed the QBs of his decision after a camp battle between Minshew and Aidan O’Connell. Minshew Mania continues in Las Vegas, which opens Sept. 8 vs. the #Chargers,” Pelissero reported.
The #Raiders are naming Gardner Minshew their starting QB, per sources.
Coach Antonio Pierce just informed the QBs of his decision after a camp battle between Minshew and Aidan O’Connell.
Minshew Mania continues in Las Vegas, which opens Sept. 8 vs. the #Chargers. pic.twitter.com/3E2zLgcOJA
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 18, 2024
Minshew is the more experienced player compared to O’Connell and has looked solid in preseason action.
Perhaps this should come as no surprise given that Minshew signed a two-year deal in free agency and has more starters reps under his belt.
Minshew is the perfect bridge quarterback until Las Vegas finds its long-term answer at the position.
For now, it’ll be interesting to see how Minshew does now that he’s officially been handed the reins to the offense.
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Insider Reveals When Raiders Will Make Starting QB Decision