The Las Vegas Raiders have ended an offseason-long competition at quarterback between Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell after the team officially made Minshew the starter for the start of the regular season.
While both quarterbacks were, by all accounts, neck-and-neck throughout, they also both struggled, which didn't instill much confidence that either one can be good enough to take this team to where it wants to go.
Every time it seemed like one of the two began to take a step forward, they would take two steps back, much like we saw in preseason Week 2 when O'Connell threw a pick-six following what was the lone touchdown drive for Las Vegas' starting QB competitors.
"I think everybody wants to see a player just take it and say, 'Hey, I'm your guy,'" head coach Antonio Pierce said after preseason Week 2. "Obviously, probably not the case, so we're going to have to make a decision and we're going to live with it and we're going to support whoever that quarterback is for the Raiders going forward."
MORE: Minshew over O'Connell was the wrong decision
Truth be told, neither quarterback would have been a surprise, but we did think that O'Connell should get the nod first.
After all, he presents an opportunity at upside as he enters his second season in the NFL, while Minshew's story is already written and we know what he is, which is a very good backup and a serviceable starter, at best.
Scrolling through social media, it's clear that there were plenty of Raiders fans who were torn about the decision, while others were much more definitive.
💥#RaiderNation
— SniperJones🏴☠️🎙🇨🇴 (@RaiderSniper) August 18, 2024
💎 Since Antonio Pierce saw that neither pulled away significantly for the @raiders QB1 job, I feel he chose experience overall. I believe Aidan O’Connell will at some point take over in the season. Not high on Minshew, but he’s our QB so he has my support 🏴☠️. pic.twitter.com/ZYGSuSHRpy
It’s going to be painful either way, Minshew does have the mobility and a good arm. Misses wide open throws more often than a starting QB should or can afford too
— Tristen Kuhn (@KuhnTristen) August 18, 2024
Is going to turn the ball over but also is going to look downfield first. Would’ve gone O’Connell but understand… https://t.co/3mPm7m9LtS
Aidan O’Connell had 0 “Big Time Throws” (passes put into low percentage windows with elite accuracy and timing) to 2 Turnover Worthy Plays
— Tristen Kuhn (@KuhnTristen) August 18, 2024
Gardner Minshew had 6 Big Time Throws, 1 Turnover Worthy Play…
Percentage wise for the #Raiders QBs
Minshew: 11.5% BTT, 3.2% TWP…
Aidan O'Connell franchise QB talks can stop now pic.twitter.com/ODxOU2mihj
— Łunaticø (@LakeShow4Life9) August 18, 2024
The Raiders have a unique ability to never fail at making the absolute WORST decisions any time the right answer is right in front of their eyes. Aidan O'Connell LITERALLY threw a franchise record scoring game... But sure... Put him on the bench instead. https://t.co/9mYEVpWeAA
— Kris G. (@Gundament) August 18, 2024
Where are all those Aidan O’Connell glazers at now? 👀
— P.W. McDonnell (@burdknowsball) August 18, 2024
I thought a certain section of #Raiders fans told me there was *no way* that Gardner Minshew was QB1 and I didn’t know ball?#MinshewMania is back in full effect. https://t.co/9i2XtIWHSp pic.twitter.com/YiOLljCNpI
Gardner Minshew?? Guess we are going for that number 1 pick this year. If I'm Tae, I'm asking to be traded, same with Maxx Crosby. #RaiderNation @Raiders
— Mathew Cross (@MathewCross8994) August 18, 2024
Gardner Minshew has been named QB1 I like AOC I feel like there is more upside but with Minshews contract it makes they brought him in to be the starter
— Football SZN (@Sports1879001) August 18, 2024
Waited this long for football to comeback just for Gardner minshew to be QB1 that’s sickening my duas are with you @Abdin_kiddactiv https://t.co/DYz4WscOtJ
— Conceited🇸🇴 (@DonConceited) August 18, 2024
