The 2024 NFL Draft made waves with six quarterbacks being selected in just the first 12 picks, highlighting the importance teams are placing on securing young talent at the pivotal position. One team charting a unique course amidst this flurry of quarterback acquisitions is the Las Vegas Raiders, led by head coach Antonio Pierce.
Pierce, who stepped into the head coaching role midseason in 2023 following the dismissal of Josh McDaniels, faces significant decisions as the Raiders aim to solidify their quarterback situation. After the first two preseason games, the team has pivotal assessments to make, especially with Gardner Minshew's recent performance and intriguing comments from Pierce.
Raiders' Quarterback Moves
The Las Vegas Raiders held the 13th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but rather than using it on a quarterback, they addressed other needs. Their quarterback depth chart, however, has been a focal point. Minshew joined the Raiders on a two-year deal worth $25 million, with $15 million guaranteed, signaling the team's moderate confidence in his abilities to lead the offense. Additionally, the roster features Aidan O'Connell, a fourth-round pick from the 2023 draft, who is vying for playing time and future stability.
Preseason Performances
In the recent home game against the Dallas Cowboys, the Raiders' quarterback play displayed a mix of potential and pitfalls. Minshew completed 10 of 21 passes for 95 yards, reflecting a struggle to find rhythm and efficiency. Meanwhile, O'Connell shared a similar fate; he managed to throw a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Harrison Bryant but also had a costly pick-six—Dallas defensive back Kemon Hall returned an interception 69 yards for a score.
After reviewing the tape from their matchup with the Cowboys, where the Raiders fell 27-12, Antonio Pierce emphasized the importance of the operational part of the game. "I'm going all the way back to OTAs, minicamp, training camp, two preseason games. There's going to be a lot of factors obviously right? Command of the offense, the operational part. Efficiency. The turnovers are huge. That shows up. Taking care of the football is going to be important for our team," Pierce noted.
Evaluation and Decisions
With both quarterbacks getting nearly equal opportunities to showcase their skills—O'Connell with 20 attempts and Minshew with 21—Pierce and his coaching staff have a balanced sample to evaluate. "I mean, everything. You can't take the good and not take the bad. Wish it went well for both gentlemen. It just didn't. We'll look at it, and we'll evaluate," Pierce reflected post-game. The equality in their attempts is indicative of the open competition within the camp.
The critical decision now looms regarding who will take the helm moving forward. Pierce candidly shared, "Everybody wants to see a player just take it and say, 'I'm your guy,' like I've been saying from Day 1. Obviously [that's] probably not the case." His comments hint at the ongoing struggle to identify a clear, standout leader from their game performances.
Future Outlook
Looking ahead, both Minshew and O'Connell will sit out the third preseason game, as confirmed by Pierce: "Yeah, we've seen enough reps. Two games, like we talked about. Our guys are not playing in the third preseason game, our starters, so we'll sleep on it and make a decision in the next couple days." This strategy indicates that the team is opting for a period of reflection rather than additional on-field trials.
Antonio Pierce and his coaching staff remain committed to analyzing all aspects of their quarterbacks' preseason outings. The decision, sleeplessly pondered over the coming days, will reflect a blend of training camp performances and preseason action. As the Raiders prepare for the upcoming regular season, fans and analysts alike await Pierce's verdict and its implications on the team's direction.