Gardner Minshew Named Starting QB for Raiders Week 1 Game

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Raiders name Gardner Minshew as starting QB for Week 1

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Antonio Pierce Gardner Minshew Announces Raiders Starting QB (0:23)

Paul Gutierrez, ESPN staff writer

August 18, 2024 at 11:44 pm

HENDERSON, Nev. -- Gardner Minshew will open the season at quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders, coach Antonio Pierce announced Sunday.

Minshew, who signed with the Raiders as a free agent this offseason, has been offered the job along with Aidan O'Connell.

"It took a lot," Pierce said. "It's not [only] based on the night. There's a lot of factors. So, we feel like Gardner gives us the best chance to get off to a fast start, and that's what we're going for. We're going to support him, our team is behind it, the board is behind it, The organization is behind it."

The Raiders open the 2024 season in Week 1 at the Los Angeles Chargers.

When asked specifically what went into the decision, Pierce pointed to the "experience" of Minshew, who is entering his sixth NFL season, as well as the entirety of the game.

"The operation, the process and everything we saw in practice," Pierce said. "Some of that showed in games. A lot of things we could have been better at. I don't think anything here is a finished product, but based on where we want to go in the first quarter of the season, we feel like Gardner gives us the best opportunity."

Minshew, 28, is on his fourth team after signing a two-year, $25 million contract with the Raiders on March 14, including $15 million guaranteed.

In two preseason games, he was 16 of 33 for 212 yards with a touchdown. The mobile Minshew also rushed for 12 yards on two attempts.

Gardner Minshew will be the Raiders' starting quarterback when they open the 2024 season at the Chargers in Week 1. Ian Maule/Getty Images

Meanwhile, O'Connell was 21-29 for 172 yards with a TD and an interception, which was returned for a touchdown.

"I think we both put a lot of work together, played some great ball and left it up to coach to make a tough decision," Minshew said after the Raiders' lackluster 27-12 exhibition loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday night. Allegiant Stadium.

"I'm very optimistic about what we can do as a team this year and looking forward to this year in general."

Pierce said the decision to go with Minshew came after discussions with general manager Tom Telesco and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.

"His personality is contagious, his energy is contagious, his leadership is contagious," Pierce said of Minshew. "Improv stuff -- [his] footwork in the pocket, staying on script.

"There's some magic about him when he breaks the pocket and does his thing, but if there's a first [or] second read, there's a lot of times we have to let it rip. So, he understands that. . . and more importantly, football. Care about."

O'Connell, a fourth-round pick in 2023 who was installed as the freshman starter by Pierce when he was promoted to interim coach on Nov. 1, was strong last season. He threw eight touchdown passes without an interception in the Raiders' last four games as Las Vegas went 3-1.

The Raiders' lone loss during that stretch? Minshev and the Indianapolis Colts on New Year's Eve.

"Those two gentlemen are professionals," Pierce said. "The way they've handled this competition has really resonated throughout our building ... they've cheered each other on, they've been great teammates, they've brought out the best version of each other in practice, I think, and they both take it on the chin like a champion. Taken, both of them in the National Football League, you never get ready.

"But Aidan is a young player with tremendous upside who I think will still be a starter in this league ... a starter at some point in this league, whether it's this year or next year, but he'll play. And I I think Gardner has done a good job...he's been in the league for a few years, so that's good for Aiden.

This is the sixth consecutive season Minshew has started at least one game, and his only other Week 1 start came in 2020 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. According to ESPN Stats and Information Research, Minshew is tied with Andy Dalton, Carson Wentz and Baker Mayfield for his fourth-straight franchise start since 2020. Sam Darnold of the Minnesota Vikings will also join the list this season.