The biggest storyline of the Las Vegas Raiders' offseason has been the quarterback competition, with Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell battling it out for the starting job.
But neither quarterback has been able to separate themselves, as both have struggled to find any semblance of consistency against the Raiders' defense in practice, something that has been the case since the offseason program.
As the situation remains murky in Las Vegas, ESPN's Dan Graziano recently made a prediction for who he thinks will win the job. Graziano predicts that O'Connell will earn the role, citing loyalty being the deciding factor if all things are equal.
Week 1 starter prediction: I think Pierce will feel enough loyalty to O'Connell to lean his way, and if neither player separates himself during camp, I predict that's the way the Raiders will go in Week 1. How long O'Connell holds the job will likely depend on whether the team is winning, but it wouldn't be shocking at all to see both of these guys start games in 2024 -- and someone totally different could be starting Week 1 in 2025.
We've been on the O'Connell train from the beginning. Not only does he already have the familiarity and respect of his teammates, but O'Connell offers a chance at upside considering he's still a relative unknown entering his second season.
That said, it's also possible that O'Connell doesn't take a step forward in his second season, and if that's how things pan out, O'Connell's job would be anything but guaranteed the rest of the way.
Meanwhile, we already know what Minshew is, which is a serviceable starter who will keep his team competitive but is unlikely to elevate the Raiders much. Still, that might be enough to get Las Vegas to the playoffs with the supporting cast on offense and a defense that has a chance to be elite.
"We don't need nobody to go out there and be a super hero," head coach Antonio Pierce said of his two signal-callers. "They understand we have a lot of talent around us at the wide receiver position, tight end position, and obviously at the running back position. Just allow your weapons to make the plays, don't force it."
