Minshew Named QB1 for Season Opener vs. Chargers

One of the underrated storylines of the NFL offseason has been the quarterback battle in Las Vegas with the Raiders. Last year’s fourth-round draft pick, Aiden O’Connell, started ten games and performed serviceably amid the controversy surrounding the coaching staff. He was expected to be the team's starter again this year until the Raiders signed former Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew to a two-year, $25 million contract. While Minshew was brought in to compete for the starting job with O'Connell, it appears the competition has officially ended. Head Coach Antonio Pierce announced on Sunday that Minshew will be the starter for Week 1 against division rival Chargers.

Minshew is one of the league's most polarizing personalities, and he has a solid game on the field to back it up. His ability to buy time with his legs and maneuver the pocket immediately captivated fans during his rookie season with Jacksonville in 2019. Last year in Indianapolis, Minshew started 13 games for the Colts, finishing with a 7-6 record. He had a decent season, passing for 3,305 yards with a 15-9 touchdown-to-interception ratio. While not the most impressive stats, Minshew kept the Colts competitive week after week.

Now, as the Raiders' QB1, Minshew will look to elevate his game and establish himself as a proven starting quarterback in the league. This Raiders team easily has the best group of weapons that Minshew has had in his career. With the likes of Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, and rookie tight end Brock Bowers at his disposal, expectations are high for Gardner to have his best season as a pro. First-year Head Coach Antonio Pierce clearly has faith in Minshew’s ability to put up big numbers, and has decided to go with him as his QB1.

However, if Minshew struggles, a potential quarterback swap during the season shouldn't be ruled out, especially with O’Connell already familiar with the offense. But with Week 1 against the Chargers quickly approaching, the Raiders now have their starting quarterback in place. A divisional win to start the year would be a great way to kick off the new season. With the QB battle settled, all focus should be on that big-time matchup and getting the year off on the right foot.