Well, a Justin Fields-Raiders union seems unlikely to come to pass now. The Raiders are in agreement with Gardner Minshew on a two-year deal, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports.
As things move fast in the early days of free agency, the Raiders were reported to be considering Fields. But they were previously mentioned as a non-suitor for the Bears passer. Minshew now looks to be the passer coming in to compete with Aidan O’Connell — and perhaps a rookie — for the job.
Minshew needed to settle for just a $3.5MM deal as a Colts bridge last year. His work replacing Anthony Richardson garnered the ex-Jaguars draftee a much bigger market. The Raiders are giving Minshew $15MM guaranteed on a deal worth $25MM, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. Based on this contract, O’Connell does not seem to have much of a shot to retain his starting job.
The Colts benefited from their Minshew stopgap addition, coming close to rebounding from a four-win 2022 season by making the playoffs. That journey fell just short, with the Texans edging the Colts in Week 18, but Minshew made another extended audition count. He found believers in the Raiders, who now have a QB1 option while they assess their long-term plan.
Minshew, 27, has already made 37 career starts — mostly with the Jaguars and Colts. Last season, the popular backup became needed as a starter once again after Richardson needed shoulder surgery. The Colts’ passing attack may well have been better off — for 2023, at least — with Richardson a raw prospect on the aerial front. Minshew threw for 3,305 yards, though at just 6.7 per attempt, and tossed 15 TD passes compared to nine INTs. QBR placed Minshew 13th, as he helped the Colts to a nine-win season, going 7-6 as a starter.
Joining Ryan Tannehill, Jacoby Brissett, Sam Darnold and Joe Flacco among the bridge options on this year’s market, Minshew scoring this Raiders deal represents one fewer starter opportunity for the rest of this lot. The Vikings are believed to be interested in Darnold, however, and it is not known if the Broncos will go with 2022 Raiders backup Jarrett Stidham post-Russell Wilson or snag another veteran.
The Broncos, Vikings and Raiders have been tied to move for a rookie. Antonio Pierce has been the most transparent regarding interest in a longer-term option. The Raiders have been connected to Jayden Daniels, who was at Arizona State during Pierce’s tenure on staff, but that move would require Las Vegas surrendering significant assets. For now, the team has Minshew as a placeholder — and a well-paid one at that.
Minshew has proven to be a very serviceable backup and a low end starter. This one is curious unless they’re rolling with AOC or for sure moving up to get a QB
Minshew is best used as a supersub, thus it’s more likely the Raiders will ride with O’Connell.
I guess if they’ve evaluated and believe they need a transition year, they could just have these guys compete and try to build up the roster around the QB before trying to draft a franchise guy.
I might be in the minority but I really like this as a Raiders fan-
Always felt next year was an evaluation year to build a culture,Hc exp, and hopefully {really}strong def.
Wanted a Briskett /AOC combo but this is essentially the same
Hope this puts all trade up for QB/Fields talks to bed but you never know with this team. I had BIG fears this past week on both scenarios
Patrick Queen and the 99cent bin for the rest of free agency!!! –
CB1 or Rt Rd1 starts to tighten some bolts down for 2025 and thereafter. We dont get too many good 48 straight hrs as Raiders fans but I feel good about our last 48 right now
I agree. This is the first time since before Gruden that I felt that we are heading in the right direction. I’d still like to see a QB in the draft, but I’d be fine with Nix, Penix, or maybe even Rattler. Just keep closing the holes.
Id be cool with Rattler in the 3rd
CB/RT Rds 1/2
An identity can be seen with a slight squint today, first time since Gannon/Rice/Brown really
An identity can be seen with a slight squint today, first time since Gannon/Rice/Brown really
=======================
ROTFLMAO!
I posted almost the same thing one minute ago on the Renfroe thread, but far less eloguently. If we sign/draft a CB/RT, it feels like we have a real team. How long has it been since I felt that way? Certainly pre-Gruden II.
We’re nowhere near finished, but I am definitely getting the FB package next year and inviting folks over.
That’s alotta cash for a “backup”….
Minshew isn’t a starting QB for a serious franchise. At least Fields has huge upside in the right system. That said, reuniting Fields and Getsy seems silly, makes no sense, so I never believed that Fields to the Raiders smoke.
Fields is a 1st round bust. Every team has pretty much said that by not even offering a low round pick for him.
Taking on a 22 million cap hit with Fields, even if you don’t extend him, is an issue as well
Minshew is better than Fields
As long as Bowl-Cut is the owner, the Raiders will never be a serious franchise….
They said the same thing about his dad when he signed Plunket..When he signed Hostetler….when he signed Gannon.
Minshew has had FAR better years than Fields. With probably lesser talented teams too. Look at what Fields had last year in Chi on offense…Minshew never had that talent and he still out played Fields.
Hate this move
Straighten that O-line and ‘The Mustache’ just might surprise Vegas
Good for Minshew. Solid backup man
The Raiders are obviously moving on from Jimmy Garoppolo, but what’s his status? I know he was suspended for the first 2 games of the 2024 season, but is he not still under contract with them? Are they planning to cut him post June 1?
What are the chances. In my most recent Madden franchise as the Titans. The Raiders signed Gardner Minshew.
So now there’s not one but two average QB’s in Vegas. Great.
I assume Minshew is being signed as a placeholder for a QB that they will draft next month or, at worst, next year. He was the best of what was left on the free agent/trade market at this point.
That was my initial reaction too, but if you want a place holder while a rookie sits and learns why not stick with AOC. This seems odd to me
Sticking with O’Connell would’ve been waving the white flag before the season even begins. Minshew is the consolation prize for missing out on Wilson….
AOC has some flaws in today’s NFL. Mobility being at the top. I’m not talking scrambling like a Lamar or Fileds but mobility like you saw from Purdy in the NFC championship. G Minshew has this. He can extend a drive by picking up a 1st down if the pocket collapses etc. AOC was a statue back there. With Minshew he is a clear upgrade over AOC. Doesn’t throw a lot of picks and is athletic enough to start (if needed) in todays NFL.
But I feel like you guys are talking about Minchew like he’s now our #1 QB. Do you think he is? I see this more as a 1/2 season, maybe 1 season stop gap while we draft, sit, and prepare a rookie QB, no? I don’t see Minchew as anything more than a guy who would be a top tier backup (which btw I consider AOC could also be) but a guy that also takes us to a 6-11 record.
I think the Raiders saw the writing on the wall. The 1st 3 picks in the draft are going QB and those teams dont want to trade out therefore they needed someone to be a bridge until they can find their franchise QB. I still think the Raiders will draft a QB but I dont think it’ll be who the nation all thought it was. It may be Rattler or Milton but Minshew provides that steady veteran prescience. He is an upgrade over AOC. Minshew is athletic and can pick up a 1st down if needed when the pocket breaks down or he can run the RPO seriously because GM can move(AOC can not). GM is athletic Ala Rich Gannon type. Lastly, look up Trevor Lawerence career stats vs Minshew. You’ll be really surprised.
The Colts were close to the playoffs with him.
Love it. Add Joe Milton in the 5th round and let all 3 of them battle it out while continuing to build a stout defense, offensive line and team culture that will be perennial contenders for the next decade.
LOL, if Milton starts they go 0-17.