Gardner Minshew did not finish the Raiders’ Week 3 loss to the Panthers, and head coach Antonio Pierce left the possibility open for a quarterback change following a months-long battle for the starting role. However, it appears Pierce is not ready to make a switch just yet.
During a shocking loss, the Raiders benched Minshew, and Pierce avoided committing to his starting quarterback moving forward. Aidan O’Connell stepped in, completing 9 of 12 passes for 82 yards and a touchdown, weeks after narrowly losing the starting competition to the more experienced Minshew.
While O’Connell may have another chance to start soon, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports that Minshew will continue as the Raiders’ starter in Week 4.
Despite Pierce criticizing some players for their effort in the home defeat, Minshew is only a week removed from leading a comeback victory over Baltimore. In that game, the former Jaguars and Colts quarterback completed 30 of 38 passes for 276 yards and a touchdown. Making a switch to O’Connell so soon might seem premature, but the quarterback position will be one to watch as the Raiders navigate a transition season, with Minshew filling a placeholder role.
Minshew signed a two-year, $25 million deal to provide a safety net in case the Raiders didn’t draft a quarterback prospect. That contract was the highest for any non-Kirk Cousins free-agent quarterback this offseason. Minshew performed effectively for the Colts last year, helping keep them in playoff contention. However, after ranking 13th in QBR last season, he currently sits at 24th through three games with the Raiders.
The Raiders had shown strong interest in trading up for Jayden Daniels, likely being the only team to submit an offer to the Commanders for the No. 2 overall pick. Las Vegas also explored moving up to the Nos. 3-5 range, with Pierce appearing more willing to part with assets than GM Tom Telesco.
Although linked to Michael Penix Jr., the Raiders opted against a trade-up when the Falcons unexpectedly selected him at No. 8 overall. When the Broncos took Bo Nix at No. 12, the Raiders missed out on first-round quarterbacks and selected tight end Brock Bowers, effectively delaying their quarterback plans to 2025.
In the coming weeks and months, Vegas is expected to be linked to quarterback prospects like Carson Beck, Shedeur Sanders, and Quinn Ewers, although their draft stock has yet to fully form. Minshew’s contract guarantees $3.16 million of his $11.84 million 2025 base salary, giving the Raiders flexibility moving forward. O’Connell, who started every game under Pierce during his interim head coaching stint after Jimmy Garoppolo was benched, is signed through 2026. He appears to be a more logical bridge option or backup for 2025, whereas Minshew could be considered a trade candidate next year.
O’Connell was reportedly ahead of Minshew for much of the offseason, only to lose the job due to the coaching staff believing Minshew was better suited to prevent a slow start.
With the Raiders now 1-2, Minshew’s performance will continue to test Pierce’s patience. Although the 28-year-old remains the starter in Pierce’s first full season as head coach, his position seems tenuous, but he will hold off O’Connell for at least another week.
