The general expectation is that Aidan O’Connell will enter the season as the Las Vegas Raiders‘ starting quarterback.
O’Connell replaced Jimmy Garoppolo as the starter last year, and while he certainly had some growing pains, he ended the 2023 campaign on a high note, throwing eight touchdowns and no interceptions over his last four games.
However, Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports thinks O’Connell will begin 2024 on the bench and is projecting that free-agent addition Gardner Minshew will began the season as the starter.
The Raiders were probably hoping to add a quarterback through the NFL Draft, but they saw six signal-callers selected before they were on the clock at No. 13. Apparently, they were unable to trade up, and they were shut out under center as a result.
That has created an interesting situation in Las Vegas heading into next season.
Head coach Antonio Pierce made it fairly clear earlier in the offseason that the Raiders are not entirely sold on O’Connell. While he praised the second-year quarterback for his work in 2023, he said that the team is still looking for its franchise quarterback.
That isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement.
Minshew isn’t exactly the signal-caller of the future in Sin City either, but Pierce and Co. may end up feeling he has more to offer than O’Connell.
He is certainly more experienced, and this past season, he nearly led the Indianapolis Colts to an AFC South division title in lieu of the injured Anthony Richardson.
Benjamin says that due to the presence of veterans like wide receiver Davante Adams, the Raiders may prioritize winning now, which would make Minshew the more appropriate choice over O’Connell.
Minshew threw for 3,305 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions while completing 62.2 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 84.6 in 2023, making his first Pro Bowl appearance.
We’ll see if he gets the chance to start in Las Vegas come Week 1.
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