Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Gardner Minshew Beats out Aidan O'Connell for Raiders Starting Quarterback Job
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 8 months ago on
August 19, 2024

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP/Rick Scuteri)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

HENDERSON — Gardner Minshew made a name for himself as a quarterback who can provide a spark off the bench. Now he will get the chance to start for the Raiders when they open their season next month.

Las Vegas coach Antonio Pierce made the announcement Sunday. Minshew got the nod over Aidan O’Connell.

Pierce said Minshew’s experience and his handling of the offense gave him the edge.

“Certainly, some of what he showed in practice showed up in the games,” Pierce said. “A lot of stuff we can get better at. I don’t think anything here is a finished product, but based off of where we want to go in the first quarter of the season, we feel like Gardner gives us our best opportunity.”

Raiders Prepare for Final Preseason Game

The Raiders host their former Bay Area rival San Francisco 49ers on Friday in their final preseason game. They open their season Sept. 8 in Los Angeles against the Chargers.

Minshew, now in his sixth year, nearly led the Indianapolis Colts to the playoffs last season. He took over after rookie QB Anthony Richardson injured his shoulder four games into the season.

The 28-year-old Minshew went 7-6 as the starter, passing for 3,305 yards and 15 touchdowns with nine interceptions. With Richardson coming back for this season, Minshew moved on to Las Vegas, signing a two-year, $25 million contract.

Quarterback Competition Comes to a Close

Minshew was competing for the Raiders job with O’Connell, who took over in the middle of last season and went 5-4 down the stretch during his rookie year with Las Vegas.

Neither quarterback separated himself, which Pierce acknowledged after Saturday night’s 27-12 preseason loss to Dallas. Minshew completed 10 of 21 passes for 95 yards against the Cowboys and O’Connell was 14 of 20 for 96 yards with a touchdown and an interception that was returned for a TD.

Both played much better the week before at Minnesota, with O’Connell leading a 15-play, 83-yard drive that ended in a field goal and Minshew coming in to guide three series that resulted in 17 points.

Pierce Explains Decision and Future Outlook

Pierce had said he wanted to select a starter after the Raiders faced the Cowboys, and he followed through on Sunday. He said Minshew’s personality is infectious.

“Things of improvement — footwork in the pocket, staying on script,” Pierce said. “There is some magic about him when he does break the pocket and does his thing, but there are a lot of times, the first or second read is there, we’ve got to let it rip. He understands that, and more importantly, taking care of the football.”

Minshew may have the job for now, but that doesn’t mean he will keep it all season.

“I told them both just be ready,” Pierce said. “In the National Football League, you never know. Aidan is a young player that has tremendous upside and I think will be a starter at some point in this league, whether it’s this year or next year. But he will play in games. I think Gardner’s done a good job of being that older presence.”

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Sacramento State Hires Shaquille O’Neal as a Voluntary GM

DON'T MISS

Mexico Has Received Nearly 39,000 Deportees From US Since Trump Took Office

DON'T MISS

Edman Delivers in 10th as Dodgers Weather Myers’ Pinch-Hit Slam for Win Over Marlins

DON'T MISS

Amazon Launches Its First Internet Satellites to Compete Against SpaceX’s Starlinks

DON'T MISS

Numbers That Matter From the First 100 Days of Trump’s Second Term

DON'T MISS

Trump’s Team Has Disrupted Some $430 Billion in Federal Funds, Top Democrats Say

DON'T MISS

Police Saddled Up for Alcohol Sting During Clovis Rodeo, 22 Arrested

DON'T MISS

Supply and Demand: Less Food Means Higher Prices – or Does It?

DON'T MISS

This Summer at the Movies, Superheroes, From ‘Superman’ to ‘Fantastic Four,’ Return

DON'T MISS

Tulare County Man, Linked to Norteño Gang, Sentenced for Manufacturing Explosives

UP NEXT

Mexico Has Received Nearly 39,000 Deportees From US Since Trump Took Office

UP NEXT

Edman Delivers in 10th as Dodgers Weather Myers’ Pinch-Hit Slam for Win Over Marlins

UP NEXT

Amazon Launches Its First Internet Satellites to Compete Against SpaceX’s Starlinks

UP NEXT

Numbers That Matter From the First 100 Days of Trump’s Second Term

UP NEXT

Trump’s Team Has Disrupted Some $430 Billion in Federal Funds, Top Democrats Say

UP NEXT

Police Saddled Up for Alcohol Sting During Clovis Rodeo, 22 Arrested

UP NEXT

Supply and Demand: Less Food Means Higher Prices – or Does It?

UP NEXT

This Summer at the Movies, Superheroes, From ‘Superman’ to ‘Fantastic Four,’ Return

UP NEXT

Tulare County Man, Linked to Norteño Gang, Sentenced for Manufacturing Explosives

UP NEXT

Shedeur Sanders Was Not the Only Prospect to Receive a Prank Call During the NFL Draft

Amazon Launches Its First Internet Satellites to Compete Against SpaceX’s Starlinks

2 hours ago

Numbers That Matter From the First 100 Days of Trump’s Second Term

2 hours ago

Trump’s Team Has Disrupted Some $430 Billion in Federal Funds, Top Democrats Say

2 hours ago

Police Saddled Up for Alcohol Sting During Clovis Rodeo, 22 Arrested

2 hours ago

Supply and Demand: Less Food Means Higher Prices – or Does It?

2 hours ago

This Summer at the Movies, Superheroes, From ‘Superman’ to ‘Fantastic Four,’ Return

2 hours ago

Tulare County Man, Linked to Norteño Gang, Sentenced for Manufacturing Explosives

2 hours ago

Shedeur Sanders Was Not the Only Prospect to Receive a Prank Call During the NFL Draft

2 hours ago

US Consumer Confidence Plunges to Lowest in 5 Years on Tariff Worries

2 hours ago

Coca-Cola Reports Better-Than-Expected Quarterly Profit, Says It Can Manage Through Tariffs

2 hours ago

Sacramento State Hires Shaquille O’Neal as a Voluntary GM

Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal has agreed to become the general manager of the men’s basketball program at Sacramento State under new coach ...

48 minutes ago

Shaquille O'Neal speaks during a press conference on Feb. 13, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP File)
48 minutes ago

Sacramento State Hires Shaquille O’Neal as a Voluntary GM

Migrants walk in a caravan bound for the northern border with the U.S., in Huehuetan, Mexico January 26, 2025. (REUTERS/Damian Sanchez/File Photo)
1 hour ago

Mexico Has Received Nearly 39,000 Deportees From US Since Trump Took Office

2 hours ago

Edman Delivers in 10th as Dodgers Weather Myers’ Pinch-Hit Slam for Win Over Marlins

2 hours ago

Amazon Launches Its First Internet Satellites to Compete Against SpaceX’s Starlinks

2 hours ago

Numbers That Matter From the First 100 Days of Trump’s Second Term

2 hours ago

Trump’s Team Has Disrupted Some $430 Billion in Federal Funds, Top Democrats Say

2 hours ago

Police Saddled Up for Alcohol Sting During Clovis Rodeo, 22 Arrested

2 hours ago

Supply and Demand: Less Food Means Higher Prices – or Does It?

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend