The Las Vegas Raiders quarterback battle is about to have its first major test when the team plays the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday. Head coach Antonio Pierce likes where the team is after their training camp session in California.
However, Pierce knows the offense will have growing pains this season. One of the team’s biggest questions coming into camp would be who would win the right to be the QB1 this season. The Raiders have talented pass catchers, but their quarterbacks have struggled this spring and summer.
Veteran Gardner Minshew appears to have the upper hand early at training camp. But second-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell is pretty close behind.
Las Vegas Raiders: Garner Minshew is savvy
Per the Raiders website, Pierce explained the differences between the two quarterbacks:
“Aidan is your classic quarterback, drop back quarterback,” Pierce said. “Put that back foot and let it hit, and then put that ball release, highly accurate, could throw the ball outside of numbers. Gardner is really savvy, does a good job of controlling, has poise, feels things around him, good feel in the pocket. Obviously, when the play breaks down, he’s really good at [extending plays].”
Saturday’s game is important, but won’t decide the QB1 outcome
Pierce knows Saturday’s game is vital in the coaching staff’s decision on who will be the starting quarterback this fall. However, he said the Raiders won’t give Minshew or O’Connell the job based on who does better against the Vikings, as the starting quarterback will face a different level of difficulty:
“[A] lot of different factors play into it, right? Defensive play, who’s going with the ones, who’s going with the twos,” Pierce said. “This preseason game will be very telling. I want to see these guys take care of the ball, manage the team, take care of situational football.”
Regardless of the expectations coming into the contest, there will surely be plenty of overreaction on Sunday morning about who the starting quarterback should be.
Related: Las Vegas Raiders named a sleeper team for 2024
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