Las Vegas Raiders general manager Tom Telesco announced that second-year QB Aidan O'Connell and veteran Gardner Minshew will compete for the starting signal-caller spot during the offseason and training camp.
Las Vegas Raiders general manager Tom Telesco has confirmed that Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew will engage in a fierce battle for the team's starting quarterback position this summer.
"We intend for both those guys to compete throughout the offseason program, but especially during training camp, and we'll monitor how it unfolds," Telesco stated in an interview with NFL Network on Thursday.
O'Connell, a second-year quarterback, made 10 starts in his rookie season last year, accumulating 2,218 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and an 83.9 passer rating. The Raiders posted a 5-5 record in games where O'Connell started, showcasing his potential as a franchise cornerstone.
"I believe Aidan performed exceptionally well last year, despite the challenges of a coaching and coordinator change," Telesco remarked. "He exhibited the intangible qualities of a franchise quarterback, which is crucial for team success."
Conversely, Minshew, a 27-year-old veteran, inked a two-year, $25 million deal with the Raiders in March. In 2023, he played for the Indianapolis Colts, excelling as a backup to rookie quarterback Anthony Richardon. However, a series of injuries to Richardson thrust Minshew into the starting role, and he impressed in all 17 regular-season games, starting 13.
During his time with the Colts, Minshew recorded 3,305 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, nine interceptions, and an 84.6 passer rating, leading the team to a 7-6 record with him as the starting quarterback.
"Gardner demonstrated his capabilities last year with the Colts," Telesco said. "He was selected to the Pro Bowl, so he clearly had a successful season. He always performs at a high level when given the chance, so having him compete with Aidan for the starting job will be exciting."
With both quarterbacks possessing a solid track record of success, the Raiders face an intriguing dilemma as they strive to select the ideal leader for their offense. The outcome of this competition will be pivotal in shaping the team's trajectory in the 2024 NFL season and beyond.
