Raiders GM discusses trusting Aidan O'Connell, Gardner Minshew at QB

On paper, the Las Vegas Raiders struck out when they failed to acquire a top-tier quarterback prospect during the 2024 NFL Draft last month. 

While speaking on Thursday's edition of the NFL Network "NFL Total Access" program, Raiders general manager Tom Telesco insisted he's comfortable with having either Aidan O'Connell or Gardner Minshew atop the depth chart at the position this September. 

"I thought Aidan did an excellent job last year in a really difficult situation where the head coach changed, the coordinator changed, and he played really good football down the stretch," Telesco said, per Kevin Patra of the NFL's website. "I've had a chance to be around him a little bit more in the building and you kind of see the quarterback intangibles that are there, which is nice to have, that you have to have as a franchise quarterback."

Then-Raiders interim head coach Antonio Pierce named O’Connell his full-time starter on Nov. 1, and the 2023 fourth-round draft pick tallied a total record of 5-5 as a starter. Meanwhile, Minshew went 7-6 with the Indianapolis Colts this past campaign en route to earning a Pro Bowl nod. 

Per Pro Football Reference, Minshew ended Week 18 in January ranked 14th among qualified passers with a 59.6 adjusted QBR for the season. To compare, O’Connell was 26th with a 40.5 adjusted QBR. 

"I mean, he was in the Pro Bowl, so obviously had a pretty good year," Telesco added about Minshew. "He's always performed at a high level when he's given that opportunity, so to have both those guys here competing for the job, we'll see how it goes."

The Raiders reportedly were unable to move up from overall draft pick No. 13 to get Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye before those quarterbacks became the first three choices of the player-selection process on April 25. 

Las Vegas also didn't want to "reach or overpay for" Michael Penix Jr., J.J. McCarthy or Bo Nix before those signal-callers went off the board between picks No. 8 and No. 12. 

Odds are either O’Connell or Minshew will merely be a "Band-Aid" option for the Raiders until they find their long-term answer at quarterback as soon as 2025. 

With that said, one wonders how Telesco will feel about the club's handling of the position if McCarthy, Nix or Penix ultimately earns Offensive Rookie of the Year honors for the upcoming season.