While the Raiders ended up leaving the draft without a quarterback, the team considered rookie signal-callers up until the buzzer. In fact, the team’s previous offseason moves helped set them up for whatever the draft threw their way.
[RELATED: Raiders To Hold QB Competition Between O’Connell, Minshew]
As Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal writes, the Raiders’ signing of Gardner Minshew was effectively “insurance” in case they couldn’t land one of the draft’s top QB prospects. Considering free agency comes a few months before the draft, the organization added Minshew with the understanding that the veteran could be a seat warmer for a first-round QB or he could be their full-time starter in 2024.
It ended up being the latter. As Bonsignore notes, the Raiders were eager to move up in the draft, but they only had their eyes on the projected top-three picks (Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye). The Bears, Commanders, and Patriots were unwilling to budge, and the Raiders front office believed they’d be reaching for the second-tier of QBs at No. 13.
Of course, the Raiders didn’t even have the opportunity to consider a reach, as Michael Penix Jr., J.J. McCarthy, and Bo Nix all flew off the board before it was the Raiders’ turn to pick. Penix may have been the wildcard in this grouping. While Bonsignore notes that no one knows how the front office would have proceeded if the Washington product was there at No. 13, the Raiders never considered moving up the board to acquire the QB.
So, with the organization opting against a rookie QB, the team will be temporarily handing the reigns to either Minshew or Aidan O’Connell. Minshew’s two-year contract includes $15MM guaranteed on a deal worth $25MM. That value may be a bit high for a backup, but it certainly wouldn’t be enough to stop the Raiders from considering other options. O’Connell had a chance to start at the end of the 2023 campaign, with the former fourth-rounder posting a passer rating of 83.9 while registering a 12:7 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
Minshew and O’Connell are basically the same guy. The Raiders would have been better off signing someone like Jacoby Brissett or Jameis Winston.
Minshew is definitely superior to O’Connell. O’Connell gets a lot of excuses because he is young in my mind, but I wasn’t impressed at all with his play. In ten starts, he averaged 214 yards a game with 31 attempts per. No offense is perfect, and there was adversity, but he’s also throwing to Adams and Meyers. Brissett and Winston are not upgrades-Winston possibly, actually, but it’s a much riskier gamble betting on his decision making, which would even out any potential arm strength upgrades in my mind.
He did a good job with that O-Line and average at best running game.
I disagree. The Raiders had him throwing thirty plus times a game often, and he still managed a measly 6.5 yards per attempt. Normally, that shallow a depth of target means decent completion ratings, but O’Connell only completed less than 63% of his throws. Sam Howell’s yards per attempt were about the same as O’Connell’s, but O’Connell was throwing to a receiving group headlined by Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers, plus a highly drafted TE in Michael Meyer. That’s a much better group than most of what the similarly statted QBs had.
Also, the Raiders’ line was not that bad. PFF, while not an absolute arbiter of truth on its own, had the Raiders as the 10th best O-line in football last year, with Kolton Miller as their third best tackle before his injury. Overall, they excelled at pass blocking over run blocking. Granted, McDaniels did not use the run very well at all, but Jacobs is also a more than capable back who also catches the ball well. The Raiders’ biggest impediment by far was their playcalling and off-field turmoil, but talent-wise, thd offense was decent.
O’Connell had to suffer through some questionable playcalling, I certainly give him that, but it’s not like he had nothing to work with. His lack of mobility didn’t do him any favors, either. I’m not saying that it’s impossible for him to improve-most young players do-but I was not seeing anything impressive from him last year.
Minshew is an upgrade over AOC. He’s more athletic and more experienced. Gardner can actually run to get a first down if the pocket collapses.
Also look up Gardners stats vs Brissett and Winston. You’ll be surprised with Gardener. A lot of people sleep on the kid.
Not even close. I watched a lot of Jaguars games. Gardner is talented enough to take a team to a Super Bowl. Unfortunately the Jags lack of talent at wide receiver and a serviceable running back doomed the team second tier status. Given a chance with good receivers and an offensive coordinator who has a clue I think he will surprise people. He’s a very serviceable QB with an incredible personality and he’s going to make Raider football fun again, just sit back and enjoy.
Yes! I cant wait to watch as a Raiders fan. I actually think he will be just fine.
What are you smoking? Minshew will never lead a team to more than 9 wins.
Minshew started 13 games last year. Most ever since his rookie year when he started 12 games. Last year he was 7-6 as a starter. With a lesser talented team than he has now. If he had started all 17 last year I think he’d have won 9. They were 9-8 Richardson was 2-2. Minshew would’ve matched that for sure. That’s 9 wins. I guess that’s why we raiders fans wear black. For people like you because it’s a funeral for the haters everyday.
The Raiders have a better group of pass catchers, but they have a weaker line, a worse running back situation, and have Luke Getsy calling plays instead of Shane Steichen.
Also the funeral for the haters line would work better if the Raiders had more than 2 winning seasons out of the last 20.
Nah. I like my funeral
Line. Because while you see only two winning seasons,
I see a passionate fan base. A REAL fan base.
I see even though it has been rough the raiders still have an all time wining record and have more Super Bowl wins than a lot of teams in the NFL can even say. So kick us while we are down. It’s the only chance you’ll get. There’s only one nation. RN!
Hey, i cant knock the passion.
I watched every game Richardson played for Florida. He really should be playing wide receiver not QB. He has problems throwing into tight coverage, cannot check down to his second or third receiver and runs far to often. In addition he believes he’s the best thing going and will not let people coach him. There’s a reason he came out early, his flaws were being exposed and he panicked. He is not great, merely mediocre. Minshew is a poised professional and with a good supporting cast and a little luck he can do great things. Richardson on the other hand could be a fairly great wide receiver, but much like Tim Tebow he will only play QB, so he will end up one of the biggest busts of all time
I think Richardson is better than you think, and looked better in Indy than he did at Florida, but that’s beside the point of Minshew being in a better position to succeed last year than this year. Steichen to Getsy alone looks like a major drop off .
Man you out a lot of stock in these coaches. They call plays. Players execute. While coaching is important it’s not the end all be all. A coach that can lead is best and you’ve seen that in the NFL. Plus I think Getsy was handcuffed in Chi. He won’t be in LV. I really think Shane had a great team in Philly and then was bailed out by some solid play in Indy from Minshew and their leaders. Their captains. Shane is overrated IMO.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Getsy is a lot better than Fields and a rough supporting cast made him look, but I’m not betting on it. Steichen I think is one of the ten best play callers in the NFL. Really impressed by him, personally.
You forgot to add, In your stupid, I mean humble opinion. Don’t be a Richard and act like you have some sense Troll Boy.
I think a lot of teams last season showed you don’t have to have the greatest QB to be a good team. AOC did a great job for a rookie and having Minshew is way better than Jimmy G.
LOL objectively, Jimmy G is one of the best QBs to ever play for the Raiders. It’s not his fault they suck.
Dude, what are you smokin? Jimmy G was and has always been a horrible QB. One of the best to ever play for the S&B?!? AOC proved he was better than hand off Jimmy. I’d take AOC or Minshew any day of the week over HOJ!
Horrible for the Raiders? Sure. Horrible QB? That’s a stretch.
Raiders should have traded back and collected picks for next year then.
I think you’ll look back on this statement a few yaars down the road and say “boy was I wrong” because I honestly cant remember the last time the Raiders drafted a generational talent like Bowers. Maybe Chuck Woodson?
But he has to have a QB to throw him the ball. If they end up around .500 again, then they’ll most likely miss out on next year’s QB’s.
You may be right there but I hope youre wrong. As a Raider fan we know the Raiders rarely draft high QBs. Marc Wilson, JaMarcus, Marinovich are the only 1st rounders I recall. I think the Raiders tended to go off free agents or trades and I think it was smart. Lamonica , Plunkett, Schreoder (spelling), Gannon , Hostetler. All were playoff winning QBs for the raiders.
Raiders have done well drafting QBs 2nd round though.
Snake, Carr, Beuerlein
The Raiders aren’t a team whose QB scouting department has ever made the right call. The fact the Raiders only liked the top 3 prospects gives me a lot of hope for Nix and McCarthy. What a clown show of an organization.
They made the right call this year by not trading up to draft one.
Hmmm-
Tom Flores, Blanda, Lamoinica, Stabler (MVP), Plunkett (SB MVP), Steve Beuerlein, Rich Gannon (MVP), Jeff Hostetler, Derek Carr.
I dont think I’d say never made the right call. Those are some pretty good names on there. You have NFL MVPs, Super Bowl winners, Super Bowl MVP, Pro Bowlers, All Pros and a few HOFers (yellow jackets) on there. Not too shabby for “never made the right call”
MINSHEWMANIA IS ALIVE!!!!
I’d start AOC without a doubt. We should find out quickly whether he can play in the NFL. Minshew would be an easy insertion after 5 games, and the we can look for a QB in the 2025 draft.
Nah, gotta start Gardner from the get go. He gives the Raiders a better chance to win right now. AOC still has 3 years on his contract after this year.
It wasn’t that long ago the Raiders had a QB depth chart that included Mike Glennon, Nathan Peterman and DeShone Kizer. How can you not improve on that?…lol.
Oh how you cherry pick. My grandparents were great field workers. Picked with the best of them,
but you take the cake. You failed to mention the fact that of those 3 you named the Raiders had Derek Carr as their starter. Man you’re good at cherry picking.
Regardless of who the starter was, there is no denying that is a terrible depth chart. The Raiders moved on from Carr in an embarrassing fashion so he would probably be thankful I didn’t mention him.
No that’s cherry picking. That was very important fact. You implied it was a bad QB room. That year Carr threw for over 4k. 21 TDs -8 INTs. That’s not bad. In fact many teams would love that QB play. It was important because Carr doesn’t get hurt. It’s very rare. Doesn’t matter who the back up was/is with Carr.
If a GM is completely confident his starter won’t get hurt, why sign any backups at all. Put the money to use elsewhere right? The insurance the Raiders had behind Carr was a joke and they were extremely lucky. Having just one capable QB out of four definitely qualifies as a bad QB room.
You made my point. They put that $ elsewhere. None of the QBs you mentioned were high paid whatsoever. Thanks for making my point.
Raiders will suck again, maybe get a top quarterback in the draft next year……I think that’s the realistic goal, Chiefs will be good again, Chargers on the rise, battle for last place with the Broncos , but they got Bo Nix…oh Whoopi….thats a stretch
This team has by far the worst QB situation in the NFL. Minshew a good back-up and nothing more.
AOC is celling is a high level back-up and nothing more. This team has to compete with Mahomes and Chiefs, hopefully a healthy Herbert with a new coach, and Bo Nix, who has real upside. I like Brock Bowers and the Raiders had a good draft, but come on. A joke that the team is going into this year with situation. At least sign someone with upside like Sam Darnold, Jamies Winston, or Carson Wentz. They better get someone in here soon.
Is Trevor Lawerence a good QB? Do you think he’s capable?
The Raiders have the worst QB room by far in the league? Worse than the Panthers, Vikings, Bears, Seahawks, Titans, or Colts?
Those teams with young players may end up with high ceilings, but right now, they haven’t proven anything. It’s tough to say that the Raiders’ room is definitely worse, and harder to say that it’s clearly so. Maybe that will be true by year’s end, we’ll see, but it’s impossible to say that it’s clearly evident at the moment.
sign someone with upside like Sam Darnold, Jamies Winston, or Carson Wentz.
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Both Minshew and AOC are better than all three of those guys.
This sure looks like a team that will pay up for Dak next offseason if Jerry doesn’t get it done.
Dak hasn’t won anything so I’m more inclined to think Las Vegas will be the next stop for Aaron Rodgers on his farewell tour.
Dak is still a top ten QB who’s gone to the playoffs the last three years. Most teams are doing worse at QB. I doubt Rodgers has another stop, but I guess I wouldn’t put it past him.
Hey we agree on something! This is spot on IMo.
Dak’s gone to the playoffs and has led top ranked offenses in the NFL, all with a 73-41 record. He hasn’t won the biggest thing, but he’s won something. Treating him like he’s worthless is inaccurate.
Right now, though, the Raiders will probably concentrate on building their team under Pierce. We’ll see how Nix turns out for the rival Broncos, along with McCarthy in Minnesota. Right now, though, they look ready to set a foundation for next year. If Minshew turns out to be a good starter, or if O’Connell takes a huge leap forward, the Raiders will be in good shape. If they sign Prescott, as in the suggested scenario, it wouldn’t be the worst thing. I doubt that Rodgers makes that trip, though. If none of those things happen, they’ll be drafting what will likely be a higher tier prospect than the fourth or fifth QB in the class.
Raiders have as good a QB room compared to any of the others teams , the season has not started yet . Minshew has shown he can play in the NFL & run an offense , the rest of the team will win games . It works the same way for the other teams , most of the QB’s in the league has not won the big prise & never will but still get paid . Prescott is an example , he is good has great numbers , sets his team up to win games but crashes in the play offs . Sometimes it is not just on the QB look at Wilson of the Jets , he was hung out to dry there as the team was terrible not only him but he wore it. Same as when Stafford was with the Lions , Stafford is good not great it is what around him makes him better & the previous team he was on with the Lions was horrible . Raiders will do better than last year . Go Lions
Maybe I am in denial, but I am more concerned with adding another DB or two, and help on the O-line.
I think the O line will be fine. The DB addition would be smart though. I like jones and I like Hobbs but one more is definitely needed.
Unscramble to find your fix raiders!! Omt Aybrd