Currently, Gardner Minshew III holds the starting quarterback position for the Las Vegas Raiders. However, there’s a possibility that Aidan O’Connell could emerge as a contender. Moreover, both Minshew and O’Connell could face competition from a rookie by the time training camp commences.
With his recent signing on a two-year, $25 million deal, Minshew is anticipated to take the initial reps as the starting quarterback once camp begins. Nevertheless, his status as the top choice may change by the conclusion of training camp, particularly if a rookie quarterback joins the competition.
However, according to Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce’s indication, there’s a chance that O’Connell, who finished the season as the starter after displacing Jimmy Garoppolo to a backup role, could secure the starting position instead.
“In the final analysis, Aidan O’Connell really stepped up and performed exceptionally well,” Pierce remarked. “He demonstrated remarkable mental toughness suitable for NFL play. Regardless of our decisions, O’Connell’s contributions must be acknowledged and considered—he’s rightfully earned that opportunity to start.”
However, there wasn’t complete assurance in O’Connell’s role, as Coach Pierce also hinted at the Raiders’ intention to acquire another quarterback, likely through the draft.
“We understand that having just two quarterbacks on the roster isn’t feasible, right? So, we’re aware that we need to bring in more. The upcoming opportunity lies in the draft. We’ll have to wait and see,” Antonio Pierce elaborated.
Unless there’s a trade-up, the Raiders hold the 13th overall pick in the draft, potentially allowing them to select a quarterback. Additionally, with the 44th and 77th picks, they have multiple chances to find the right prospect to bolster their quarterback room. The focus now is on selecting the best available talent.