Raiders general manager Tom Telesco made it clear this spring the team would conduct a genuine competition for the starting quarterback job. 2023 fourth-rounder Aidan O’Connell and free agent addition Gardner Minshew split first-team reps in OTAs and minicamp, setting up an interesting situation for the summer. 
O’Connell took over from Jimmy Garoppolo midway through last season, and his final weeks of the campaign in particular led to strong endorsements from head coach Antonio Pierce. The 25-year-old received a vote of confidence to enter camp atop the depth chart, but Vegas was among the teams known to be interested in adding a first-round rookie quarterback. In the end, the Raiders did not have the option to trade into a top three slot and add a passer.
Minshew signed a two-year, $25MM contract in March to provide Vegas with either an experienced bridge starter or a veteran capable of stepping in for a rookie. The team viewed him as an insurance policy for any potential draft additions, but with none being made the 28-year-old will have a chance to win the QB1 gig during the summer. He may have ground to make up once training camp opens, though.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler noted during a recent SportsCenter appearance that while the Raiders’ competition is a “real battle,” O’Connell may have the lead at this point. Familiarity with the team is a factor in his potential edge (along with, as Fowler notes, support from wideout Davante Adams) although Vegas has installed a new scheme this offseason under offensive coordinator Luke Getsy. Fowler does add that Minshew has grown comfortable in the team’s offense as well, leaving plenty to be decided in the coming weeks.
Fowler predicts both O’Connell and Minshew could wind up seeing playing time in the preseason, something which is generally not the case for starters at many positions (especially quarterback) these days. If training camp practices are not sufficient for a leading candidate to emerge, though, Pierce may be required to use both signal-callers in game action to determine the order of the depth chart.
O’Connell is attached to his rookie contract for three more years at cap hits no larger than $1.27MM. Minshew, meanwhile, has scheduled cap charges of just $5.84MM and $3.16MM over the next two seasons thanks to the void years present in his deal. The Raiders will therefore have a cost-effective QB tandem in 2024, but it remains to be seen who will get the nod for Week 1.
Minshew should win this competition hands down. He’s kind of like a Trent Dilfer prototype. Not flashy or cocky, just smooth and steady. He will keep you in games as long as their defense is decent. He got a bad deal in Jacksonville and then took most of the blame for the teams ineptitude. Gotta have people to catch the ball and people who don’t telegraph what play they are running. “What do you mean we can’t run the same play 8 times in a row,” says the Jaguars offensive coordinator. Go get em Gardner.
Minshew is so positive. Whether as starter or off the bench, he’s ready to go. Nice investment by Raiders.
I agree, he got a terrible deal in Jax. Crazy thing is Minshews stats vs Lawerence sestets are strikingly similar but Gardener isn’t getting 55 mill a year. Gardener reminds me of Jeff Hostetler but I’ll take that DDilfer comparison if the Raiders could get ass far ass that Balt team.
“In the end, the Raiders did not have the option to trade into a top three slot and add a passer”.
Only a QB drafted in the top 3 can lead you to a championship right? My cynical self is thinking the Raiders are just bidding their time with O’Connel and Minshew until Rodgers decides to return to the west coast.
Lemon put the pipe down..lol.
The Raiders are in big time trouble either way.
Put a fork in it until Mahomes retires
Yeah … the real heartbreak is that Gruden and Carr beat Mahomes twice.
Remember that Gruden took it hard in the media when the “smart aleck bus driver in Kansas City who made some snide comments” missed the VIP exit. Story got twisted into Gruden ordering a victory lap?
Um, AOC beat the chiefs last year too.
I’d say the defense, O-line beat the chiefs last year. Remember AOC didn’t complete a pass after the 1st Quarter. AOC was 9-21 for 62 yds with 4 carries for -4 yds.
Carr faced Mahomes 9 times and and has a record of 1-8 , he did not beat him twice that simply is not true, and whats hilarious is saying he is 2-7 against him (which isn’t true) is like flexing or bragging.
If Minshew is expected to win the QB1 competition hands down, like you say, their would be no need for a competition.
I think the raiders WOULD win more games this year with Minshew as the starter But I think Aidan wins the starting job.
Assuming it is fairly even, I’d give it to AOC. If Minshew starts, we will never know anything about AOC. If we start AOC, and he stinks, then we have some clarity going forward about the need to acquire a new QB.
Plus I think it will be easier to switch from AOC to Minshew than vice versa.
Take the under on the Raiders this year.