Is Aidan O'Connell or Gardner Minshew the QB1 for the Raiders?

The Las Vegas Raiders had an opportunity to select one of the highly-touted quarterback prospects in the 2024 NFL draft. However, doing so entailed giving up some assets to move up the draft board. Eventually, six quarterbacks were taken before they went on the clock for the 13^th overall pick.

As it turned out, the Raiders didn't add a quarterback in the first round, selecting two-time College Football Playoff national champion and John Mackey Award winner Brock Bowers. They were satisfied with who they had at quarterback: Aidan O'Connell, Gardner Minshew II, Anthony Brown Jr., and undrafted free agent Carter Bradley.

O'Connell and Minshew are the likely competitors for the starting role. The Raiders signed Minshew to a two-year, $25 million contract after nearly leading the Indianapolis Colts to the playoffs. Meanwhile, O'Connell was their fourth-round selection last year.

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While they both showed attributes worthy of consideration as starting quarterbacks, which will get the role under head coach Antonio Pierce and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy?

Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew 2023 Stats

O'Connell took over from Jimmy Garoppolo and played 11 regular season games last year. He finished his rookie season with 213 completions for 2,218 yards, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. The former Purdue standout completed 62.1 percent of his throws and averaged 6.5 yards per completed attempt.

Aidan O’Connell & Gardner Minshew have already built a strong relationship 🦅🏴‍☠️

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— The Rush Podcast (@TheRushWithMaxx) May 24, 2024

Meanwhile, Minshew became the Colts' starter after Anthony Richardson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. He started in 13 of Indianapolis' regular season games, finishing with 305 completions for 3,305 yards, 15 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He had a 62.2 completion percentage and three 300-yard games.

Why Aidan O'Connell Will Become Raiders' QB1

Minshew was solid in filling in for Richardson. However, he struggled during the Colts' last four games after leading them to a four-game win streak in the middle of the regular season. Indianapolis split those games, and Minshew finished with four touchdowns and an interception.

Conversely, O'Connell had a solid finish to the 2023 season, tallying eight touchdown passes and zero interceptions. The Raiders won three of those four games to finish with a respectable 8-9 record.

Aidan O’Connell & Gardner Minshew make some throws in OTAs into the practice nets.

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— Vegas Sports Today (@VegasSportsTD) May 21, 2024

While the Raiders paid a fortune to acquire Minshew, they are better off retaining O'Connell as their starting quarterback. He was in a nice rhythm to end the season, and that momentum could carry over to 2024.

The lessons from his rookie season should help him connect with Bowers, Davante Adams, Michael Gallup, Jakobi Meyers, and Michael Mayer. Once Pierce declares him their starter, the Raiders hope they won't switch from O'Connell to Minshew. His presence should motivate the second-year player to prepare and perform better, starting at training camp.

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