Raiders HC names leader in Aidan O’Connell, Gardner Minshew competition
Las Vegas Raiders head teach Antonio Pierce spoke with newshounds on Friday and indicated that 2023 fourth-round draft pick Aidan O’Connell has an early gain over journeyman Gardner Minshew related to a quarterback competition that’s expected to closing thru at least a portion of the preseasonPierce was serving as the Raiders’ interim head coach when he first named O’Connell his full-time QB1 this previous November. In total, the 25-year-old went 5-5 as a starter but did not play well ample to quit the Raiders from exploring a possible trade that would’ve concerned the membership shifting up from the 13th standard pick out in this year’s draft for a quarterback.
The Raiders reportedly “would have considered” drafting Washington Huskies signal-caller Michael Penix Jr. at choice No. 13, but the Atlanta Falcons grabbed him via the eighth choice.
As for Minshew, he signed a two-year contract with the Raiders in March. While he earned a Pro Bowl nod for his play with the Indianapolis Colts closing season, he finds himself having to capture up to O’Connell this spring. Earlier this week, Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports named the Raiders amongst 5 teams “expected to be in the combine for a” quarterback subsequent offseason. Specifically, Trapasso wrote that “the Raiders are if truth be told locks to be in the quarterback sweepstakes in the 2025 draft.”
Either O’Connell or Minshew will want to show Trapasso incorrect between now and January of next year.
