The Las Vegas Raiders are heading into the 2024 NFL season following an average 8-9 season in 2023. Throughout the previous season, they faced challenges and internal conflicts. This resulted in the mid-season dismissals of their head coach and general manager, as well as a shift from an experienced quarterback to a fourth-round rookie, Aiden O’Connell.
After taking over as the interim head coach, Antonio Pierce, who is now the full-time head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, surpassed expectations by turning a 3-5 Raiders team into a competitive force. Pierce, a former player and Super Bowl champion with the New York Giants, has strong connections with his team, drawing from his own experiences as a former player.
Approaching the offseason with a mentality focused on immediate success, the Raiders strengthened their already formidable defensive line by adding veteran Christian Wilkins. Under the leadership of new head coach Pierce, the Raiders have prioritized building a formidable defense.
Before Josh McDaniels was ousted as the head coach, the defense was ranked 23rd in points allowed per game. However, after Antonio Pierce took charge, the Raiders led in points allowed per game for the remainder of the season. The addition of Wilkins to the talented group is expected to significantly disrupt opposing offenses.
The Las Vegas Raiders also brought in Gardner Minshew to join the quarterback lineup, where he will compete with Aiden O’Connell. Minshew, a former sixth-round draft pick for the Jacksonville Jaguars, previously served as a sporadic starter for two seasons with the Jaguars before being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. Last year, he started thirteen games for the Indianapolis Colts and earned a trip to the Pro Bowl.
Aiden O’Connell, who was drafted in the fourth round by the Raiders in the 2023 NFL Draft, assumed the quarterback position for Vegas last season when Josh McDaniels was dismissed and Antonio Pierce took over as head coach. O’Connell had a fluctuating rookie season but showed promise towards the end, finishing with 2,218 passing yards and 12 passing touchdowns, along with 7 interceptions.
Howie Long and Tim Brown Weigh in on Raiders’ Quarterback Duel
Many Las Vegas Raiders fans have voiced their opinions about the current quarterback dilemma, with some backing the young talent Aiden O’Connell and others throwing their support behind Gardner Minshew. Raiders icons Howie Long and Tim Brown have also joined the conversation.
Raiders legend Howie Long suggested that Minshew may secure the starting quarterback role for the Raiders. Speaking on the podcast Green Light with Chris Long, he expressed, “O’Connell is a player who has shown potential, and I believe they will give him the opportunity to lead the team, but I see Minshew as a true competitor.”
Long elaborated on Gardner Minshew, stating, “He may not stand out during midweek practices, but for some reason, whether it was during his time in Jacksonville, Philadelphia, or with the Colts — particularly in his most recent stints with Philly and the Colts — I believe he gleaned valuable experience from both locations. I think the system, coaching, and overall environment were beneficial for him, and if given the chance, he may not relinquish his position.”
Tim Brown, speaking on the Zach Gelb Show, remarked, “I believe that because Gardner is accustomed to entering games off the bench — that has been a recurring role for him — the team might initially give the young quarterback an opportunity to start and assess his performance for a few games.”
As the start of training camp draws near, Raiders fans eagerly anticipate the resolution of the quarterback competition between O’Connell and Minshew, anxiously waiting to discover who will emerge as the starter.
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