The highly anticipated 2024 NFL Draft saw a flurry of activity with six quarterbacks selected in the first 12 picks. As the Las Vegas Raiders held the 13th overall pick, many wondered how the team would position itself heading into the new season. Antonio Pierce, stepping in as the head coach after taking over as interim head coach midway through the 2023 season following the dismissal of Josh McDaniels, has been at the helm of several key decisions.
One of those significant moves was the signing of Gardner Minshew to a two-year, $25 million contract, featuring $15 million in guaranteed money. Minshew was expected to bring stability and experience to the Raiders' quarterback room, complementing Aidan O'Connell, a fourth-round pick from the 2023 draft. The duo has since been the center of attention as the team evaluates its quarterback options during the preseason.
Preseason Performances
In a recent home game against the Dallas Cowboys, the Raiders suffered a 27-12 loss that highlighted some concerns in their offensive execution. Gardner Minshew completed only 10 of 21 passes for a modest 95 yards, proving it a challenging outing for the veteran quarterback. Aidan O'Connell, on the other hand, presented a mixed performance by throwing a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Harrison Bryant. However, O'Connell also had a significant lapse, which resulted in a 69-yard interception return for a touchdown by Dallas defensive back Kemon Hall.
Following the loss, Coach Antonio Pierce reflected on the game and the overall performance of his quarterbacks. "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?” Pierce said. “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."
Evaluating the Quarterback Battle
The evaluation process for Pierce and his coaching staff has been extensive, with both Minshew and O'Connell receiving ample opportunities to showcase their abilities. "I mean, everything. You can't take the good and not take the bad," Pierce noted. "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."
The coaching staff’s approach emphasizes a comprehensive review of each player’s contributions, with a particular spotlight on maintaining control of the football and operational efficiency. Pierce has been clear about his expectations and the competitive nature of the position battle, acknowledging that neither quarterback has emerged as the clear-cut starter: “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."
Looking Ahead
As the third preseason game approaches, Pierce has made a decisive call regarding his starters. "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," he confirmed.
This decision not to play the starters in the final preseason game indicates that Pierce and his staff feel confident in the body of work they have evaluated so far. It also underscores the importance of ensuring that potential starting players, including both Minshew and O'Connell, are preserved for the beginning of the regular season.
With the start of the NFL season looming, Antonio Pierce's Raiders face critical decisions that could impact the entire trajectory of their campaign. By focusing on efficiency, limiting turnovers, and making the right call at the quarterback position, the Raiders hope to improve upon their recent performances and solidify their standing in a competitive league.