Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell has ‘earned the right’ to start
Now that the 2024 NFL draft has passed, the Las Vegas Raiders are moving forward with plenty of questions concerning the quarterback position.
The Raiders had signed Gardner Minshew in free agency, but Aidan O’Connell will also compete for the starting job.
Want $250 to bet on the NFL?
“Aidan’s earned the right to go out there and earn the first snap,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said Friday via ESPN. “What he’s done this offseason — changing his body, his work ethic, being here every day, blocking out the outside noise. He’s not worried about anything. I’m excited.
“Then you bring Gardner in here … talk about personality. … It’s great. It’s great for our building. It’s great for our quarterback room. And if you got competition in the quarterback room, what does every other room look at?”
O’Connell may have an early leg up on the competition given his familiarity with the team. It could allow him to get some early separation for the starting job, but it doesn’t rule out Minshew’s opportunity to snag the spot.
Through his first five seasons, Minshew has earned plenty of playing time. Last season, he stepped in as the starter for the Indianapolis Colts after rookie Anthony Richardson suffered a season-ending injury.
Read: Tyler Boyd Signs One Year Deal With Titans
Minshew nearly put the Colts in the playoffs by recording 3,305 passing yards, 15 touchdown passes, nine interceptions, and an 84.6 passer rating.
Meanwhile, O’Connell, in his rookie season with Las Vegas, had a 5-5 record as a starter and threw eight touchdown passes without an interception in the final four games of the season.
Time will tell what will unfold in the coming months ahead of the 2024 season.
