Who’s the starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders? Right now, it’s Gardner Minshew III. But Aidan O’Connell could be lurking in the shadows. Yet, by training camp, both players could be competing with a rookie too.
After signing Minshew to a two-year, $25 million contract, the former Colts QB is likely in line to receive the first reps as the starter when camp opens. But he may not be the top option by the time camp breaks especially if a rookie arrives.
Yet, as Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce suggested, it’s possible O’Connell, who ended the season as the starter after pushing Jimmy Garoppolo to backup duties, snags the starting role instead.
“At the end of the day, listen, Aidan O’Connell played his ass off. He did a helluva job for us,” Pierce said. “You’re talking about a kid that has the mental toughness to play in the National Football League. Whatever happens and whatever we do it has to go through Aidan O’Connell. Being honest with you because he’s earned that right (to start).”
Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce
However, this wasn’t a complete sign of confidence in O’Connell, Coach Pierce also indicated that the Raiders are certain to add another QB in the draft.
“Well, you know you can’t have two quarterbacks on the roster, right? So, we know we have to add some. The next wave is the draft. So we’ll see.”
Antonio Pierce, continued
Barring a trade up, the Raiders have the 13th overall pick, which could be used to select a quarterback. But even then, possessing the 44th and 77th picks gives the Raiders a few opportunities to find the right prospect to add to their QB room. Now they just have to pick the best one available.
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