Raiders Name Gardner Minshew Starting Quarterback

The Las Vegas Raiders have named Gardner Minshew as their starting quarterback for the 2024 season, despite his lackluster performance in the preseason, where he completed 16 of 33 passes for 212 yards and one touchdown. Head coach Antonio Pierce acknowledged the decision was difficult, given both Minshew and competitor Aidan O’Connell struggled during the preseason games, with Minshew's most recent outing against the Cowboys resulting in just 10 completions for 95 yards. Minshew's experience, with 37 career starts compared to O’Connell's limited experience, likely influenced the decision, as Pierce emphasized the need for leadership and playmaking ability. The evaluation process for the starting role considered all aspects from offseason activities to preseason performances, with Pierce stating, "We’ve seen enough reps... and we’ll sleep on it" before the final announcement. Ultimately, Minshew's ability to command the offense and avoid turnovers were pivotal factors in his selection over O'Connell, despite both quarterbacks failing to assert dominance during the competition.