The Raiders are just weeks away from the start of training camp, and it appears they have a legitimate position battle playing out at quarterback.
Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew split reps in the offseason months, and according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that approach isn’t likely to change before training camp.
Fowler did say, however, that O’Connell seems to have a “slight edge” in the competition.
“O’Connell and Minshew in the spring… went after it,” Fowler said on ESPN’s Sportscenter. “O’Connell probably has a slight edge right now based on coming into year two being more vocal. I’m told he’s acting like a starting quarterback, and Davante Adams loves him, which always helps certainly with the brownie points. But Minshew has come in and shown some moxie. He’s already got the offense, he’s changing plays at the line of scrimmage, I’m told. He’s been good at the off-script stuff so it would not be surprising at all and both quarterbacks got a start in a preseason game maybe… but we have ourselves a real battle in Las Vegas. “
The popular opinion a few months ago was that Minshew was the frontrunner to win the job, but there seems to have been a shift in popular opinion in the time since.
It will be interesting to see how the competition plays out, but there seems to be some momentum moving in the direction of O’Connell as the Raiders prepare to enter training camp.
Three weeks ago, Raiders quarterback coach Rich Scangarello said he didn’t expect the quarterback competition to drag out, and given O’Connell’s relationship with Antonio Pierce and Davante Adams, it could be that the Raiders’ second-year quarterback will get the benefit of any doubt going into the regular season opener.
One way or another, answers are coming soon…
x: @raidersbeat
I knew this before Minshaw was signed and didn’t think we needed to reach or move up in draft! I have every confidence in Aidan and more so than I ever really had in Derek since his leg injury when he returned I believe a diminished quarterback. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Derek as a person, I just thought he wasn’t going to be the one to lead us to victory in the playoffs and I think Aidan will!! God Bless The Las Vegas Raiders and Raider Nation!!
I just hope the Raiders have learned a lesson, that all of our players need to play in pre-season. I don’t believe in sitting out players. We’ve been in what, two play-off games in 22 yrs, No Offense, but, we just aren’t good enough to not play everyone. Going into Pre-season, it SHOULD be a battle at every position; nobody should feel they’ve got a position sewn up. I want to see 53 guys with a huge chip on their shoulders. Tim Neeley
I have been a Raiders fan since 1968. What I would like to say to ALL the people who say that they know football is; “IF” the Raiders should option to bolster their quarterback position, they should trade for a veteran and Super Bowl winning quarterback in Joe Flacco. This VETERAN quarterback HAS figured out the game and is battled tested. HE can offer the veteran leadership that this team needs and has seen it all. I liken him to a modern day George Blanda. He wouldn’t cost much but brings a veteran experience, to the Raiders, that could prove invaluable to the younger quarterbacks. Get WISE Raiders management and get someone who could not only groom the younger quarterbacks but also be an excellent pinch hitter, in the clutch. In my opinion, Al Davis would have no qualms with adding a proven commodity like Joe Flacco. in fact, he would insist on it. Scrutinize that.