The Las Vegas Raiders had mixed results from their quarterbacks, Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew, in their preseason matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Minshew, who played for a significant portion of the game, completed 10 of 21 passes for 95 yards without scoring a touchdown. O’Connell had slightly better numbers, going 14 of 20 for 96 yards and a touchdown, but his performance was marred by a pick-six against the Cowboys’ third-string defense in the third quarter. Both quarterbacks faced backups while the Raiders used most of their starters, leaving head coach Antonio Pierce unsatisfied with the clarity he hoped to gain from the game.
In his August 17 postgame press conference, Pierce expressed frustration with the lack of a standout performance. “Everybody wants to see a player just take it and say, ‘Hey, I’m your guy.’ Well, obviously, that’s probably not the case,” Pierce remarked. He acknowledged that a decision on the starting quarterback would need to be made, and he pledged to support the chosen player.
Neither quarterback has distinguished themselves as the definitive starter, with both having struggled in training camp and showing similar results in the preseason. Pierce indicated that he would consult with general manager Tom Telesco and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy before finalizing his decision. “It’s going to be everything—command of the offense, operational efficiency, and minimizing turnovers,” Pierce said. He emphasized the importance of choosing the quarterback who will provide a strong start to the season.
O’Connell had a promising start but faltered later, particularly with the pick-six, which could impact his standing. “I just stared it down,” O’Connell reflected on his performance. “It was up and down. I missed some throws and reads, and the pick-six definitely lingers.”
Minshew, aware of the tight competition, admitted to a less-than-ideal performance. “It’s been neck and neck all the way,” he said. “I had some missed throws and reads. We shot ourselves in the foot all night.”
With the quarterback competition still unresolved, it appears both O’Connell and Minshew may see playing time during the regular season unless one emerges as more consistent.