With all the chatter regarding whether or not the Las Vegas Raiders will make a switch over at quarterback, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said the Raiders aren’t considering that just yet.
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Rapoport said that the Raiders are sticking with Gardner Minshew as their starting quarterback heading into Week 4.
Gardner Minshew II #15 and Aidan O’Connell #12 of the Las Vegas Raiders warm up before a game against the Carolina Panthers at Allegiant Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Las Vegas Raiders will stick with Gardner Minshew as their starting quarterback heading into Week 4.
Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images
The Raiders named Minshew the starting quarterback for the team a little less than a month from the start of the 2024 season.
Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce had this to say about Minshew when he made it known he would be QB1.
“Myself, [Tom] Telesco, and Luke Getsy discussed it this morning,” Pierce said. “A lot of things went into it. It wasn’t based off of last night. There’s a lot of factors. We feel like Gardner gives us the best opportunity to get off to a fast start.”
As we sit three games into the season, Minshew has been quite adequate. So far, he has recorded a 1-2 record, completing 73 of his 99 pass attempts for 747 yards and 73.7 percent of his passes, three touchdowns, and three interceptions.
The news comes after Pierce was noncommittal about Minshew remaining the starter after Aidan O’Connell came off the bench to lead the Raiders to a late touchdown drive in their 36-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 3.
Minshew threw for 214 yards and completed 18 of 28 passes with a touchdown and an interception against Carolina.
The 28-year-old signed a two-year contract with a $15 mullion guaranteed this past spring and beat out O’Connell in a training camp battle. Although O’Connell is the younger quarterback, he does have more experience with the Raider offense.
Last season, the second-year quarterback played in 11 games, started in 10 and recorded a 5-5 record. O’Connell completed 213 of his 343 pass attempts and 62.1 percent of his passes for 2,218 yards, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
The 26-year-old was named the starting quarterback in early Nov. 2023 and led the Raiders to their best win of the year over their division rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs, on Christmas Day. In the meantime, Minshew is safe, but don’t be surprised if O’Connell becomes the starter later on in the season.
The Raiders are currently at 1-2 and are coming off a tough loss to the Panthers just a week after an impressive win over the Baltimore Ravens. They will take on the Cleveland Browns at home this Sunday.
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