In the 2024 NFL Draft, a record-setting six quarterbacks were selected within the first 12 picks, highlighting the league's ongoing demand for top-tier talent at the quarterback position. Amid this flurry of selections, the Las Vegas Raiders held the 13th overall pick and made significant offseason moves to bolster their roster under the direction of head coach Antonio Pierce.
Coaching Transition and Quarterback Movements
Antonio Pierce, who stepped in as interim head coach midway through the 2023 season following the dismissal of Josh McDaniels, has since been appointed the full-time head coach. Tasked with turning the Raiders' fortunes around, Pierce has already made bold decisions in shaping the team's future. One key move in the offseason was the signing of veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew to a two-year, $25 million contract, with $15 million guaranteed.
Alongside Minshew, Aidan O’Connell, the fourth-round pick from the 2023 draft, forms part of the quarterback depth chart. This combination of experience and youth was put to the test in a recent preseason home matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Unfortunately for the Raiders, the game ended in a 27-12 defeat, offering mixed results from their signal-callers.
Preseason Performance: A Mixed Bag
Gardner Minshew had a subpar outing, completing only 10 of his 21 pass attempts for a total of 95 yards. Meanwhile, Aidan O’Connell had his share of highs and lows. O'Connell connected on a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Harrison Bryant but also experienced a significant setback when Dallas defensive back Kemon Hall intercepted one of his throws, returning it 69 yards for a touchdown. O'Connell further faltered by failing to convert a subsequent two-point attempt.
Following the game, Pierce was candid in his assessment of the quarterbacks' performances: "I mean, everything. You can't take the good and not take the bad. Wish it went well for both gentlemen. It just didn't. We'll look at it, and we'll evaluate. They both had opportunities. Aidan had 20 attempts, and Minshew had 21, so about as balanced as we can get it. We'll look at it."
Looking Ahead to the Regular Season
Pierce emphasized the comprehensive evaluation process underway as the team approaches the conclusion of the preseason. "I'm going all the way back to OTAs, minicamp, training camp, two preseason games. There's going to be a lot of factors obviously right? Command of the offense, the operational part. Efficiency. The turnovers are huge. That shows up. Taking care of the football is going to be important for our team."
With these factors in mind, Pierce has made the decision to rest his starters in the third preseason game. This includes both Minshew and O'Connell. "Yeah, we've seen enough reps. Two games, like we talked about. Our guys are not playing in the third preseason game, our starters, so we'll sleep on it and make a decision in the next couple days," Pierce explained.
As the Raiders' coaching staff weighs their options, one evident outcome is the absence of a definitive 'guy' at the quarterback position. Pierce acknowledged this reality, stating, "Everybody wants to see a player just take it and say, 'I'm your guy,' like I've been saying from Day 1. Obviously [that's] probably not the case."
Heading into the regular season, the priorities for the Raiders will focus heavily on decision-making at the quarterback position, maintaining offensive efficiency, and minimizing turnovers. The preseason provided a glimpse into the capabilities and limitations of both Minshew and O’Connell, but the regular season will be the true test of whether these quarterbacks can lead the Raiders back to prominence under Pierce’s stewardship.
As fans eagerly await the outcome of the evaluations and subsequent decisions, there is a collective hope that the team’s investments in talent and leadership will translate to success on the field.