The Raiders quarterback competition has come to an end and it was a surprise to many when head coach Antonio Pierce announced Gardner Minshew as the starter.
Every indication last week was that the Raider decision-makers were leaning slightly toward Aidan O’Connell, and after Minshew’s often-erratic game on Saturday, it felt like O’Connell was practically a lock to get the job.
So why did the Raiders go with Minshew?
Some pointed to the pick-six that O’Connell threw in the third quarter, but it’s worth noting that Minshew threw a pass just as bad in the first quarter.
Outside of the interception, O’Connell was 14-19 for 96 yards and a touchdown. He was composed in the pocket and noticeably more accurate than Minshew.
It’s unclear what tipped the scales in Minshew’s favor, but according to Sports Illustrated insider Hondo Carpenter, the decision was made with the heaviest input coming from the GM, head coach and offensive coordinator.
”It was a Luke Getsy, Antonio Pierce and Tom Telesco decision,” Hondo said on the Las Vegas Raiders Insider podcast. “They would all tell you it was a three-headed decision.”
Pierce cited “experience” and “processing” the offense as two reasons the decision was made to move forward with Minshew at quarterback.
“It wasn’t based off of last night,” Pierce added on Sunday. “We feel like Gardner gives us the best opportunity to get off to a fast start, and that’s who we’re going with. We support him. Our team’s behind it. Our staff’s behind. Our organization’s behind it.”
Aside from what Pierce said on Sunday, it would be interesting to know if the decision makers in the building might have adopted the thinking of one of their flagship radio hosts.
This was JT the Brick’s thought process on the Raiders quarterback situation last week…
“You’ve got these first two games on the road,” JT said on his Raider Nation Radio program. “They are really tough [and] we’re going up against two of the better defenses or individual defensive players out there. Maybe Gardner [Minshew] can get out there, step out of the pocket, run away from Khalil Mack and Bosa a little better than Aidan. Let’s give him the shot to play the first two games.”
Whatever the reasoning behind the Raiders’ decision at quarterback, it’s hard to imagine that anyone involved in the process felt like Minshew had earned the job when he left the game on Saturday.
Minshew may be the best choice, but it will be interesting to see how patient the coaching staff will be if he doesn’t play better than he did against the Cowboys’ second-team defense.
x: @raidersbeat
After watching that game, I was so certain it would be O’Connell that I went to the few fantasy teams I’d already drafted and swapped out Minshew for O’Connell. (This shows what a Raider fan I am, that I have either one as my second QB…) And then I heard the news. So I had to go back and cancel those waiver requests. Are we to believe that Gardner will start the first two games and then O’Connell will come in? This is not giving me a lot of hope. I was shocked at how inaccurate Minshew was (and I like him). Maybe it was a bad night and that’s what they’re going on.
I’ve lost all respect for our coach. First he didn’t stand up to Davonte to play when he said all starters would play. What kind of example is that? And no I don’t believe he was hurt in anyway. Then to choose Minshew who is a gunslinger who is gonna throw up many ints. He’s inaccurate. He’s been on too many different teams for a reason. He’s not a starting QB. When the raiders start off losing Adams will want to be traded. Their gonna need the extra pick to assure they get the top pick in the upcoming draft. AP just destroyed AOCs career. This kid never had a chance litteraly. It was Minshews game the day he signed his contract. There was no real competition. The keys were handed off from day one of his signing. The raiders will never know what they had in Aoc. I feel bad for this kid. I’ve lost all respect for a coach making the kid believe he actually had a chance, not making Adams play and relying on other coaches for help. He has no clue what he’s doing.
I agree . I lost all respect for AP. I think he is in trouble .
This feels like a telesco decision…the guy who failed with a top 15 QB on a rookie contract still couldn’t find a way to build a team around him
It seems you have yur mind made up
Coulda’ had Rattler. The many years of bad drafts just can’t be overcome. The future is definitely not good. I don’t think the Raiders even looked disciplined yesterday. A redraft would look very different. Was JPJ injured before the draft?
I don’t understand the constant drafting of hurt/injured players, no matter who’s the coach we manage to grab the guy that’s hurt
Decision was made because the gm brought in the guy for 2/25/15 of which guaranteed.. He can’t go with the guy who was there before him. Coach may be losing this team already. Adams sais he doesn’t wanna play and is in street clothes Sat. Probably doesn’t sit well with other guys … Hate to say it, but here we go again??
Time to pick up the phone and call the Lions or Cowboys. Hendon Hooker is a mobile qb and can throw deep. He is 3rd on the Lions team and will be holding a clipboard for a long time. He probably could be traded for a 5 or 6th round pick. Option number 2 = Trey Lance, another mobile qb. He will be lost behind Dak and Rush. Another clipboard holder. Dak is going to get paid big. Lance has a $25 million dollar hit. So there’s feeder lamb to pay Micah parsons and Prescott. He is expendable. Take your pick we have 2 options. I like both and would be happy with either. It’s a low price with potentially high reward. As for Heinicke r or other scrubs floating around no thanks. Do the right thing Telesco, help AP your coordinator and Raider Nation. It’s just my angle. And if it doesn’t work go buy a qb in 2025 or draft one. But what if??????
If O’Connell is not the QB, I am not watching and routing for them to lose!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is it possible they go with Minshew in these first two games and then switch to O’Connell moving afterward?
Well it makes sense from JT , we need a mobile quarterback but at the same time we need an accurate passer, I think Minsue size is a factor, too short to see over defensive linemen as he was almost intercepted. Depending on what team we play we can at least change qb for that game plan !
Raiders are just garbage..
Bad owner and horrible GM and coaching
Boycotting sounds great 👍
Get this POS owner out and push him to sell
Only hope for this downtrodden franchise
O’Connell was drafted for a reason. Play this guy. Typical Raiders. I don’t think you win with either, but signing Mischew, I think was a bad move. Personally, I would of signed Justin Fields. He was out there. Not sure how it works out this year for Raiders, but I would bet they will struggle bigtime if they can’t put up 24 to 30 points a game. That what this league is. Best team put up points!!!
This competition as always a toss up from the start. Two mediocre QBs, each with their own attributes which Ed cancelled out those of the other. Don’t really have a preference but have to say it seems that by AP’s supportive commentaries that he may have led on AOC a little. Competition is tough. In the end it comes down to the money,even if nobody ever says it- $25M/2/$15M gtd speaks loudly. Maybe TR Sshould have reached out to somebody like Ryan Tannehill or someone like him available as a bridge/ mentor for both Minshew and AOC. It’s a business!
We’re going to have to buy a FA QB. We’re too good to get a high enough draft pick to improve our offense. The process worked even if you didn’t like it. GM, Head coach, and OC all picked Minshew. And I’m sure Davis signed on. I’m he hoping Minshew is a bridge. If he just plays well enough until we can get our guy.Maybe Dak will be available. Maybe Kirk Cousins gets beat out before the year is over in Atlanta?
GO RAIDERS ! I LIKE AOC TOO, BUT IM A RAIDERS FAN AND MUST HAVE FAITH.
JUST WIN BABY
I believe just like Raiders 55 said… AP is trippin hard on this one. I don’t care what the GM thinks or anybody else for that matter. The bottom line hear is last year when we were being held hostage by the freakin Patriot lame sauce freakin Garrapo-**** AOC came in and like it or not he lita fire, back into not just our offense but our entire organization keep it real. Not Telesco, not Gardner too short to Minshewor anybody else. Aiden did that. This the muthafucken thanks I get? For real. And Who’s even trippin on the chargers or K. Mack anyways? ****. Not Aiden… Last time I checked we hung 70 points on they ***… with who? Not Minshew. That’s for sure. **** this lil guy this is Aiden’s fuckin team. until he proves to be inept its his fuckin job period. Minshew just showed up. Are we trying to continue building off of where we left off at the end of last year or are we just completely starting over once again with MR. small fry Im starting cuz some GM says in the guy that’s why ???????? OH… And don’t sleep on why Davante wasn’t out there neither. I promise you that was no coincidence neither. No loyalty to Aiden… No Fuckin Davante… Bet that **** up. Bitches. Telesco. Bet you have lil man Gardner throwin that ball to… Nobody’s Bitch. you just got here Gardner… sit your *** down…take in some things see what being a Raider is really like and see wwhat it’s about before you go way to hard and play your self out. PERIOD
I think both players have had way too much pressure put on them by pitting one against the other, since they arrived in camp, in a winner take all situation. Both players are capable, and given the confidence of the coaching staff and support they need, and a chance to relax and go play football, then you will be able to see who they are. Tell them they are great and either one will win games.
Minchew has proven himself so don’t keep tearing him down. That’s a losers way of coaching. He’s going to do great.
I’m sorry but you’re delusional like most fans..
This franchise has been cursed for over 38yrs..It was good when Ron wolf was part of this organization,he questioned Al Davis on picks and Ron made excellent choices in Marcus Allen and Tim Brown now both in HOF.
When Ron was part of the organization raiders won Google it .
AOC should be starting period!!!