The Raiders have been hoping a quarterback will separate from the competition in training camp, but to this point Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew have not done that.
Per reports from training camp, there isn’t an obvious QB leader in the clubhouse, and Saturday only seemed to be a step in the wrong direction for both quarterbacks.
”Today they both equally embraced the suck,” Sports Illustrated insider Hondo Carpenter said of O’Connell and Minshew after Saturday’s scrimmage. “It was very disappointing.”
“I’m telling you tonight a Krispy Kreme donut sitting on my desk would have a better chance than the offense did against the defense. It was pitiful.”
For what it’s worth, others in attendance on Saturday hinted that Minshew may have been a little better than O’Connell, statistically, if nothing else…
As others have pointed out, Minshew and O’Connell have been competing against one of the best defenses in the league and they are also learning a new offensive scheme. The offense wasn’t expected to carry the team this year, but it’s fair to wonder if they will even be an average unit.
In all likelihood, the Raiders quarterback competition is going to extend well into the preseason and Saturday will be the first preseason for Minshew and O’Connell. The Raiders and Vikings will air on NFL Network on 8/10 at 1:00 PT.
x: @raidersbeat
Just because the offense is struggling against a very good raider defense, does not mean that they will not be good against league defenses that are not as good at the outset of the season. Add injuries to league defenses and offenses during the season and progression of the offense could be very solid. FYI other league offenses will have to put up points against the raiders ‘D’ and those qb’s other than the very best of them could struggle. It’s my contention that the raiders ‘D’ may win a few more games this season than the offense with either Minshew or O’Connell