Raiders Will Hold QB Competition Between Aidan O’Connell, Gardner Minshew

Heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, there was a belief that the Las Vegas Raiders would make an addition to their quarterback room, which included second-year man Aidan O’Connell and veteran free agent signing Gardner Minshew.

Of course, O’Connell ended last season as the Raiders’ starting quarterback, and the fourth-round pick did a solid job as a rookie. Minshew has plenty of experience and made the Pro Bowl last year with the Colts, nearly leading them to the playoffs after stepping in for the injured Anthony Richardson.

And now Raiders GM Tom Telesco has confirmed that the Raiders will have a full-on competition for the Raiders starting quarterback job in training camp via Adam La Rose of Pro Football Rumors:

“That’s the plan is to have both those guys really compete through the offseason program, but more so in training camp, and we’ll see how it plays out,” Telesco said of O’Connell and Minshew during an appearance on NFL Total Access. “I thought Aidan did an excellent job last year in a really difficult situation where the head coach changed, the coordinator changed, and he played really good football down the stretch.

“And then with Gardner, you know, Gardner played well last year with the Colts. I mean, he was in the Pro Bowl, so obviously had a pretty good year. He’s always performed at a high level when he’s given that opportunity, so to have both those guys here competing for the job, we’ll see how it goes.”

While this wasn’t exactly a secret, especially after the Raiders didn’t add anyone else via the draft, it is good to see Telesco confirm it. Now, the pair will go into camp knowing it’s an open competition, and whoever is the best man will get the job.

Whoever doesn’t get the job then becomes an ideal backup option with experience who the team knows can step in if anything happens. The Raiders still need to find their true franchise quarterback, but for this 2024 season, either Minshew or O’Connell are capable of getting the job done and getting the Raiders back to the playoffs.

Aidan O’Connell looking forward to competing for Raiders starting QB job

This news from Telesco was expected and even anticipated from the returning Aidan O’Connell who has spoken about his willingness and desire to compete.

O’Connell said that it’s his job to keep his job as starting quarterback for Las Vegas, adding that you have to earn everything in the NFL and that’s the way it should be.