The 2024 NFL Draft witnessed a quarterback frenzy, with six quarterbacks taken off the board within the first 12 picks. Among the teams watching this rapid selection with interest were the Las Vegas Raiders, who held the 13th overall pick. However, the Raiders’ immediate future under center seemed to hinge more on veterans and previous drafts than the fresh faces of 2024.
Uncertain Quarterback Situation
Antonio Pierce, stepping into the permanent role as head coach after serving as interim following Josh McDaniels’ midseason departure in 2023, has a challenging quarterback situation on his hands. The Raiders signed Gardner Minshew to a two-year, $25 million contract, with $15 million guaranteed. Additionally, they have Aidan O'Connell, a fourth-round pick from the 2023 draft, vying for time behind center.
In their recent 27-12 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, both quarterbacks saw significant action. Minshew completed 10 of 21 passes for 95 yards, while O'Connell had a mixed performance, throwing a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Harrison Bryant but also tossing a 69-yard interception return for a touchdown by Dallas defensive back Kemon Hall. Attempting a subsequent two-point conversion, O'Connell came up short.
Evaluating Performances
Pierce emphasized the comprehensive evaluation process. "I'm going all the way back to OTAs, minicamp, training camp, two preseason games," he explained. "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."
The equal opportunities provided to both quarterbacks in the Dallas game were deliberate. "I mean, everything. You can't take the good and not take the bad," Pierce said. "Wish it went well for both gentlemen. It just didn't. We'll look at it, and we'll evaluate. They both had opportunities. Aidan had 20 attempts, and Minshew had 21, so about as balanced as we can get it. We'll look at it."
Forward-Looking Decisions
The preseason games have been a crucial part of Pierce’s decision-making matrix. He highlighted the significance of these matches in shaping the team's roster and strategy. "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."
With the starters set to sit out the third preseason game, Pierce and his coaching staff have some crucial decisions to make. "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."
As the Raiders approach the regular season, the clarity of who will lead the offense remains a critical concern. With a significant investment in Minshew and the potential of O'Connell, Pierce’s judgment will profoundly impact the Raiders' journey in 2024 and beyond.