There was an obese amount of talk surrounding the Las Vegas Raiders and their QB room this offseason, really since late last season. Aiden O’Connell played his rookie season “protected” by Antonio Pierce, but that was about it. After, Chargers, Khalil Mack terrorized AOC with 6 sacks in one game, O’Connell had MackTSD the rest of the season. His internal clock was sped up, terrified under the slightest of pressure, and missed open guys way too often. But from the jump, he’s had the full backing of AP, so much so that the head coach said to start the offseason, the QB spot is Aiden’s to lose. Helps that he does protect the ball and doesn’t turn it over much, other than to, punter, AJ Cole.

However, that didn’t stop speculation. Divisional opponent, Denver Broncos, had recently ostracized quarterback, Russell Wilson, and announced they were cutting him. The Raiders could get him for vet minimum, and beat up on the Donkeys twice, while they’d pay Wilson tens of millions of dollars for the season. The intrigue was there, but ultimately there wasn’t enough interest from the Raiders brass.

Enter the Justin Fields rumors! I was excited if I’m being honest. Fields isn’t as bad as Chicago makes him look. Dude has had a revolving door around him, and has been force to run for his life, his entire tenure. Put him with our weapons, bolster the o-line, and I think you see huge improvement from Fields. Well, the hiring of Luke Getsy, Chicago’s OC, put an end to that hope. No way Fields would make the move to stay with Getsy.

Rookie options next up, right?!

Oh yeah, there’s this thing called the NFL Draft. This may also be known as the QB draft, more than a handful of first round QB selections. The big name linked to the Raiders being, LSU quarterback, and 2024 Heisman winner, Jayden Daniels. Pierce recruited Daniels out of high school and they have maintained a healthy bond since. Unfortunately the Raiders weren’t willing to spend the asking price to move up to the 2nd overall pick. Which we should’ve saw coming with one of the early moves in free agency.

During the early hours of free agency, the Raiders made an interesting decision, signing QB, Gardner Minshew, to a 2-year deal, giving him a good chunk of change to come in and compete with AOC. Weird move to say the least, but I do like the swagger, mobility and confidence Minshew brings to the table. We have Anthony Brown Jr. also. Still AP lets everyone know, it’s O’Connell’s job to lose. We don’t get a top QB in the draft.

Training Camp

We opened training camp with AOC and Minshew both battling for the QB1 spot. Ying/Yang days for both QBs to start out camp. Feels like when 1 does good the other struggles, maybe feeling the pressure to perform when they see the other succeeding. I love the competition, personally. With neither stringing together back to back solid days, neither is running away with the “starter” label. Both seem to have an impenetrable connection with 13th over pick, Brock Bowers, out of the University of Georgia, I don’t know if it’s them or him, but that is going to be fun to watch all season!

Preseason

AOC gets the start for the preseason opener, but only gets 1 series, a pretty decent one though (7/9 for 76yds). Getsy had him looking great, quick drops to get rid of the ball in a clean pocket. He struggled when he had to drop back on a 3rd down pass play, which resulted in a sack and successful FG attempt from Daniel Carlson on 4th down. That was all for him for the day.

Gardner came in to start the second series, ended up getting 4 series. Productive as well (6/12, 117, TD), but the mobility was the biggest takeaway for me. Minshew is not scared to get out of the pocket and improv. Yes, that may make for some questionable decisions, but I prefer that over a timid, scared Aiden that we got last season. Gardner had a good showing, but I don’t think he pulled ahead, maybe stayed even.

AOC Week 1?

Is AOC going to be the Raiders starter come week 1? It’s been the story of the offseason and AOC has the trust and backing of Coach Pierce, but will it be enough? All things equal, I think it is. Coach Pierce wouldn’t commit to starting Minshew in this Saturday’s matchup, against the Dallas Cowboys. He also didn’t comment if anyone is pulling ahead in his eyes. He did, however, say he hopes to name a starter for week 1, following review of this weeks matchup.

We’ll circle back after this weekends events, hopefully we’ll have a favorite and that QB can start getting the majority of the reps with the 1s.

What say you? Who would you like to see under center for your Las Vegas Raiders, come week 1?

*UPDATE* The Las Vegas Raiders have signed, quarterback, Nathan Peterman. They’ve released wideout Keelan Doss, subsequently. let’s see how this shakes up the QB battle.