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Raiders Adding Competition For Quarterback Aidan O’Connell

Originally posted on NFL Analysis Network
By Kenneth Teape | Last updated 3/11/24

One of the biggest question marks the Las Vegas Raiders have coming into the 2024 offseason is what to do at quarterback. The team decided to move on from veteran Jimmy Garoppolo during the 2023 season when interim head coach Antonio Pierce opted to bench him for rookie Aidan O’Connell.

With Pierce now taking the head coaching role full-time, he has to answer questions about quarterback once again. Will O’Connell, who showed some signs during his rookie season, be their starter in 2024? Or will the team bring in someone else?

O’Connell will certainly not be handed the job, as he will have to earn the starting spot. Now, we know who his competition will be as well. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, it will be Gardner Minshew.

Minshew and the Raiders have agreed to a two-year, $25 million deal that includes $15 million guaranteed. After spending last season with the Indianapolis Colts, Minshew is now heading to Sin City, where he is expected to compete for the starting job.

Compensation update: The #Raiders are signing QB Gardner Minshew to a two-year, $25 million deal that includes $15M fully guaranteed, per sources.

Strong money for their potential 2024 starting QB. pic.twitter.com/Jsl9ycNCK4
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 11, 2024

Based on how much money the Raiders are paying, it certainly seems as if they are going to give Minshew every chance to be their starter in 2024 and possibly beyond. He did a good job stepping into the lineup in 2023 for injured rookie Anthony Richardson, which earned him a solid payday.

It will be one of the competitions around the league that people keep a close eye on. Their production in 2023 was pretty similar across the board, with Minshew leading the Colts to a win over O’Connell and the Raiders in Week 17.

This likely puts to rest any of the rumors about Las Vegas engaging in trade talks with the Chicago Bears centered around Justin Fields. It could also take the Raiders out of the running for a player early on in the 2024 NFL Draft, as they will put their resources toward more pressing positions of need.

This article first appeared on NFL Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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