The 2024 NFL Draft was a spectacle for fans and franchises alike, with six quarterbacks being selected in the first 12 picks. However, the Las Vegas Raiders, holding the 13th overall pick, did not join the run on quarterbacks early on. Led by head coach Antonio Pierce, who took over as interim head coach midseason last year following the dismissal of Josh McDaniels, the Raiders chose a different path.
Quarterback Situation
In the offseason, the Raiders made a significant move by signing free agent quarterback Gardner Minshew to a two-year, $25 million contract, $15 million of which is guaranteed. This decision came alongside the team's continued development of Aidan O'Connell, a fourth-round pick from the 2023 draft. Despite the veteran presence of Minshew, it was crucial for the Raiders to give O'Connell his chances to shine.
The preseason games offered both Minshew and O'Connell ample opportunities to compete for the starting role. "I mean, everything. You can't take the good and not take the bad. Wish it went well for both gentlemen. It just didn't. We'll look at it, and we'll evaluate. They both had opportunities. Aidan had 20 attempts, and Minshew had 21, so about as balanced as we can get it. We'll look at it," Pierce remarked following a recent game.
Preseason Performance
In a home game against the Dallas Cowboys, the Raiders struggled, losing 27-12. Minshew completed 10 of his 21 pass attempts for a total of 95 yards. O'Connell, on the other hand, had some highlights but also critical low points. He threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Harrison Bryant but also suffered a 69-yard interception return for a touchdown by Dallas defensive back Kemon Hall. O'Connell's attempt at a subsequent two-point conversion failed, adding to his mixed performance.
The head coach was explicit about the evaluation process for his quarterbacks. "I'm going all the way back to OTAs, minicamp, training camp, two preseason games. There's going to be a lot of factors obviously right? Command of the offense, the operational part. Efficiency. The turnovers are huge. That shows up. Taking care of the football is going to be important for our team," Pierce explained. His comments reflect a comprehensive approach to determining who will lead the Raiders on the field.
Plans Ahead
Given Pierce's detailed focus on various factors, the decision regarding the starting quarterback is still up in the air. "Everybody wants to see a player just take it and say, 'I'm your guy,' like I've been saying from Day 1. Obviously [that's] probably not the case," Pierce candidly acknowledged. This creates a fascinating scenario for Raiders fans and analysts as they await the final decision.
In a strategic decision to protect his key players, Pierce confirmed that the starters, including both quarterbacks, will not play in the third preseason game. "Yeah, we've seen enough reps. Two games, like we talked about. Our guys are not playing in the third preseason game, our starters, so we'll sleep on it and make a decision in the next couple days," Pierce revealed. This implies that the decision-making period will be internal and based on the comprehensive analysis of the performances up to this point.
As the Raiders inch closer to the regular season, the monumental task of choosing the starting quarterback remains. With a new head coach in Antonio Pierce, the team is clearly in a phase of transition and assessment. Whether Minshew's experience or O'Connell's potential will lead the team is yet to be decided. For now, all eyes are on Pierce and his final call.