After being mum on what they'd do under center ahead of their Week 6 game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Las Vegas Raiders have made a decision on who will start at quarterback between Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell.
Head coach Antonio Pierce revealed before practice on Wednesday that O'Connell will get the nod on Sunday. Pierce also noted that he doesn't plan on going back to Minshew, but left the door open for such a move.
"Aidan O'Connell will start at QB for the Raiders vs the #Steelers, Las Vegas coach Antonio Pierce announces," ESPN's Paul Gutierrez reported. "Pierce says he doesn't anticipate making another switch back to Gardner Minshew, but left door open, saying he doesn't ever plan on making changes but will make a change when a change is needed."
O'Connell started 10 games for the Raiders during his season and had an up-and-down showing overall, but he also finished the season strong and Las Vegas won three of its last four games in the process.
However, that wasn't enough for the Raiders to entrust him with the starting job in 2024, and instead Minshew was brought in to compete with O'Connell. After neither quarterback seized the job, Minshew was named the starter.
But it only took five games for Minshew to lose his job. O'Connell came on in relief last week and didn't have much success, completing 10-of-20 passes for 94 yards and one interception. He did, however, lead the Raiders on a scoring drive, albeit in garbage time.
While O'Connell's insertion into the starting role is unlikely to move the needle much for a struggling Raiders offense that has more issues than just the quarterback, it was a move the team had to make.
The Raiders need to give O'Connell a longer look before they inevitably search for a new starter in 2025, whether that be in free agency or the draft.
