The quarterback battle between Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew was the biggest Raiders storyline of the offseason, and it was a process that took longer to play out than the team was hoping.
We were told for months that the job was essentially O’Connell’s to lose, and it was a surprise to some when Minshew was named the starter in August.
After Friday’s performance from O’Connell, the decision to put Minshew at the top of the depth chart in August is starting to look like a mistake. O’Connell played better against the Chiefs than Minshew played at any point this season, and it’s fair to wonder how the team reached the decision to start Minshew in the first place.
According to Sports Illustrated insider Hondo Carpenter, the preseason decision to go with Minshew was a joint effort from the GM, head coach and offensive coordinator.
”It was a Luke Getsy, Antonio Pierce and Tom Telesco decision,” Carpenter said on the Las Vegas Raiders Insider podcast in August. “They would all tell you it was a three-headed decision.”
Whatever factors were considered, it would be interesting to know how the coaches and GM reached the decision to start Minshew.
Was it a unanimous determination by Pierce, Getsy and Telesco?
Ultimately, the quarterback decision might not have mattered with Getsy as the offensive coordinator because we’ve learned in the weeks since that the offense was set up for failure under Getsy. We’re going to learn more about that dynamic after the season.
For O’Connell, he now has a unique opportunity to work with interim offensive coordinator Scott Turner and make his case to be the starting quarterback next year.
It’s a long shot, but if O’Connell continues to play as well as he did against the Chiefs, the Raiders could end up in a position where they would consider drafting Heisman front runner Travis Hunter instead of a quarterback.
x: @raidersbeat
AP has ZERO business running a team! Maybe a linebacker coach, but NOT a HC
MARK D has to stop interfering and let the Tom’s figure this out.
The NEW HC should actually get the final say.
He should have been the QB from day one.
Not starting him and choosing Luke Getsy as OC will cost AP his job. You make wrong decisions you lose your job.
With how poorly the OL handled pass blocking under Getsy, AOC’s career would be over had he been the starter. They better find Kolton Millers replacement ASAP cause he’s done.
AOC not only played better than Minshew, he played better than the “winning” quarterback Mahomes: 116QBR vs 84 QBR!
don’t forget norv…
Draft hunter and give a 2nd round pick for Dak Prescott
Alot of it had to do with mobility. The first 3 team we faced had really strong defenses and with O’connell’s lack of mobility, they didn’t want to deflate his confidence. They figured the competition was close so why not wait until the right time to put him in. They obviously waited too long but this was the chatter when that choice was made.
Gets ky sucked in Chicago why did they ever give him the job in Vegas
Like any other successful offense, you put an offensive coordinator who knows what the quarterback can do. His strengths and weaknesses. You then call plays to the QB’s ability!
Imagine if they had hired a different offensive coordinator. They need to focus on Oconnel. If he has a strong finish, he should be the franchise quarterback.
If successful, keep Turner as offensive coordinator. Hire a coach with experience and is willing to at least keep Turner and the new offensive line coach.
Yes!!! Always been a O’Connell fan since college days.
The Raiders need a dependable quarterback, get rid of Minshew, give AOC a decent opportunity, but draft the best available quarterback!
Please AOC Make it so they have. No choice but To go with you as the start of next season so we can get Travis Hunter!
I’m a Big10 guy so I know what kind of QB OConnell is.Purdue isn’t known as a powerhouse,so for Purdue to earn a spot to play in the Big 10 championship game thats a huge accomplishment.An the reason for most of the teams wins were due to the play of their QB Aiden OConnell.This kid was a baller,he would fight to win.The guy was a winner.So when Vegas picked him up I was excited to see him play.I kept wondering why aren’t they playing this guy?When I heard that they didn’t make him their #1 out of fall camp I wondered why? And now I know it’s due to a bumbling OC and GM and a head coach who wouldn’t stand by him after he said he would.You seen what he could do against KC,he played good enough to win,that was the best game of the year for Raiders.He BEAT KC last year!The Raiders have their QB if they would open their eyes,they treated OConnell terribly. He deserves better
The Raiders started Minshew because they over paid for a two year deal. O’Connell is a pocket QB with a stronger arm and reads defenses much better. The Raiders blew the season with their decision.
Unfortunately, the raiders are going nowhere with the current ownership.It’s time for Mr. Davis to sell the team.Maybe Tom Brady and could get a group of football knowledgeable.People did go in a different direction. Until that happens, it’s going to be the same.We’ll see no playoffs.No super bowl thank you james