LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 02: Interim head coach Antonio Pierce of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on during the Mountain West Football Championship between the Boise State Broncos and the UNLV Rebels at Allegiant Stadium on December 02, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
Sad News: Raiders HC Antonio Pierce names 19 year old as starting quarterback to open season
For just the second time in his career and the first time since 2020, Gardner Minshew will be a Week 1 starter.
Minshew has been named the Las Vegas Raiders’ starting quarterback by head coach Antonio Pierce, three weeks ahead of the team’s season opener at the Los Angeles Chargers.
Minshew prevailed in the Raiders’ quarterback competition against second-year QB Aidan O’Connell, who finished his rookie campaign as the team’s starter over the last nine games.
In two preseason games, including Las Vegas’ Week 2 loss against the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday night, Minshew completed 16 of 33 passes for 212 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. In comparison, O’Connell was 21 of 29 for 172 yards, one TD and one INT.
“Myself, [general manager Tom] Telesco and [offensive coordinator] Luke Getsy discussed it this morning. A lot of things went into it. It wasn’t based off of last night, there’s a lot of factors.” Pierce said. “We feel like Gardner gives us the best opportunity to get off to a fast start, and that’s what we’re going with. We support him, our team’s behind it, our staff’s behind it, our organization’s behind it.”
Going strictly by salary, Minshew ending up atop the depth chart isn’t unexpected. Now with his fourth NFL team, Minshew inked a two-year, $25 million contract this offseason to join the Silver and Black. O’Connell, a 2023 fourth-round pick, is due $915,000 in base salary this year.
For just the second time in his career and the first time since 2020, Gardner Minshew will be a Week 1 starter.
Minshew has been named the Las Vegas Raiders’ starting quarterback by head coach Antonio Pierce, three weeks ahead of the team’s season opener at the Los Angeles Chargers.
Minshew prevailed in the Raiders’ quarterback competition against second-year QB Aidan O’Connell, who finished his rookie campaign as the team’s starter over the last nine games.
