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The Raiders seem to have the best quarterback battle in the 2024 NFL preseason, between second-year QB Aidan O’Connell and veteran newcomer Gardner Minshew. In reality, there’s been a clear answer in the competition for a while.
O’Connell, a fourth-round pick in 2023, and Minshew, a free-agent addition in 2024, have been competing for much of the offseason, getting their share of first-team practice reps. In the team’s Week 1 preseason game against the Vikings, not much separated sharp play from both O’Connell and Minshew.
O;Connell started in Minnesota, going 7-of-9 passing for 76 yards, with a robust 8.4 yards per attempt, no TDs, and No INTs, ending up with a superb 101.9 passer rating. Minshew relieved him and went 6-of-12 passing for 117 yards, posting an even better 9.8 yards per attempt and 112.2 passer rating. Minshew had a TD and added a seven-yard rush.
Minshew has the mustache and the mania. He is the “bigger name,” and conventional wisdom says the veteran puts Vegas’ offense is better position. But the Raiders were still smart to start O’Connell in the preseason opener. They would be even smarter to stick with him as the top QB after he sent Jimmy Garoppolo to the bench last season and started 10 games.
Here’s breaking down why O’Connell must be the pick to start in Week 1 of the regular season against the Chargers after coach Antonio Pierce sees both play again in Week 2 of the preseason vs. the Cowboys.
DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: 2024 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet
Raiders QB depth chart
| Team | QB1 | QB2 | QB3 | QB4 |
| Raiders | Gardner Minshew | Aidan O’Connell | Anthony Brown Jr. | Nathan Peterman |
MORE: NFL Preseason injury tracker | RB depth charts
Why the Raiders should start Aidan O’Connell over Gardner Minshew
Gardner Minshew has transitioned more into a smart, versatile backup
Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh McCown did it before him. Tyrod Taylor and Jacoby Brissett are doing it now. Minshew can do it like Josh Dobbs.
Minshew has the makeup to be a backup to any QB, in any offense, He did well in the Shane Steichen system in a pinch for the Eagles and Colts. But giving him extended time as a starting bridge QB isn’t his jam. He has a two-year deal in Las Vegas, which makes sense if O’Connell gets hurt or falters. Minshew can help in the transition to a likely first-round rookie QB in 2025.
MORE PRESEASON: Week 1 rookie QB grades | Week 1 overreactions
Aidan O’Connell is worth an extra look as a potential franchise passer
O’Connell was put in an unexpected, tough situation with Jimmy G and former coach Josh McDaniels last year. He handled his surprise starting duty well given he was thrown into fire just as an offensive inferno was waning.
That also was in a different style of offense, first with McDaniels and Mick Lombardi and then with Bo Hardegree. Now the job belongs to former Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy under Pierce. Getsy’s scheme is familiar to go-to receiver Davante Adams, as the former was once the Packers’ passing game coordinator when Adams was in Green Bay.
There’s enough change around O’Connell schematically and personnel-wise to give him a fresh chance in an attack that seems better suited to his pocket-passing skill set.
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Aidan O’Connell’s ceiling is higher than Gardner Minshew’s
The Raiders need to be aggressive in their first full season under Pierce. They need to find out if O’Connell can be the franchise passing solution, letting his big arm loose playing off a more run-effective offense. Minshew is going for the safer veteran type, but the Raiders are bound to be stuck in limbo at 8-9, at best, again.
The Chiefs have the highest QB ceiling in the entire league with Patrick Mahomes playing for Andy Reid. Justin Herbert is getting help from Jim Harbaugh on the Chargers. Bo Nix might change the QB fortunes of Sean Payton. In relation to those developments, playing it safe with Minshew won’t be a path to discovering long-term answers, whether it’s O’Connell or another near-future drafted passer. If O’Connell flops, then next year’s draft pick will only be higher.
Aidan O’Connell is headed to better team results with familiar support
No one expects AOC to light it up and leave no doubt he’s the Raiders’ long-term answer at the game’s most important position, but receivers Adams and Jakobi Meyers have a good feel for his passing after last season. Adding Brock Bowers to Michael Mayer at tight end helps, as does some offensive line tweaks. Zamir White could also prove to be a special back replacing Josh Jacobs. Under Pierce, Vegas’ defense should remain the team’s foundation with Christian Wilkins joining Maxx Crosby to wreak even more havoc up front.
From this perspective, the safer floor choice would seem to be Minshew, but in reality, he’s been playing catchup with O’Connell based on the foundation the latter has established.