The Las Vegas Raiders have named Gardner Minshew as their starting quarterback for the Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, head coach Antonio Pierce announced on Sunday.
Minshew, who joined the Raiders on a two-year, $25-million contract during free agency, was selected over Aidan O’Connell due to his “experience” and “processing” abilities, according to Pierce.
“We feel like Gardner gives us the best opportunity,” Pierce said. “A lot of stuff we can get better at. I don’t think anything here is a finished product, but based off of where we want to go for the first quarter of the season, we feel like Gardner gives us the best opportunity.”
Minshew, 28, participated in both of the Raiders’ preseason games, where he completed 16 of 33 passes for 212 yards and one touchdown. Over his five-year NFL career, Minshew has started 37 games, including 13 last season for the Indianapolis Colts after then-rookie Anthony Richardson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.
During the 2023 season, among 24 quarterbacks who played at least 320 snaps from Week 6-18, Minshew ranked 18th in EPA/play and 22nd in completion percentage.
Pierce praised Minshew’s influence on the team, stating, “His personality is infectious, his energy is infectious, his leadership is infectious. There is some magic about him when he does break the pocket and he does his thing.”
O’Connell, a fourth-round pick in the 2023 draft, started 10 games last season, recording 2,218 passing yards and 12 touchdowns with a 5-5 record.
The Raiders also brought in Luke Getsy as their new offensive coordinator after he held the same position with the Chicago Bears last season. The Raiders struggled offensively last year, finishing 26th in EPA/play and 27th in yards per game.
