Following another ugly defeat in Week 5, where the Las Vegas Raiders led 10-0 before losing 18-34 to the Denver Broncos, Sin City’s head coach Antonio Pierce has decided to make a change under center. Gardner Minshew will no longer be the starting quarterback in Las Vegas; instead, that job will go to second-year signal caller Aidan O’Connell.
The Raiders posted a 2-3 record through five weeks with Minshew manning the offense. During this time, Las Vegas’ offense tied for 15th-most passing yards (213) per contest with the 10th-lowest points per contest (19.2).
O’Connell had the chance to start 10 games in 2023, finishing his season with a 5-5 record in such contests. Under the Purdue alum, Sin City’s offense averaged 22.3 points per outing; a 3.1 increase from the points averaged under Minshew. On average, the team’s passing yards equated to 214.3.
That was without rookie sensation Brock Bowers – although, it’s also fair to say Minshew wasn’t gifted the threatening presence of Josh Jacobs to keep defenses honest.
Although Minshew’s 70.7% completion percentage ranked sixth-highest across the NFL, his turnover troubles led to his benching. Totaling five interceptions on the season, Minshew threw the ball to the opposing defense at least one time in four-of-five contests.
Under Minshew, the Raiders’ defense committed at least one turnover in each contest this season. Pierce is hoping a quarterback swap changes that.
Aidan O’Connell takes center stage as Las Vegas Raiders’ new QB1
Antonio Pierce is hoping O’Connell will help keep the ball safe, and if 2023 was any indication, O’Connell will do just that.
Through his 10 starts last season, the then-rookie threw an interception in only four separate contests. Minshew has matched that number of games with an interception after only five weeks.
In addition, O’Connell will help push the ball downfield.
When throwing the ball 20+ yards downfield last season, O’Connell totaled five touchdowns and two interceptions. Despite only appearing in 11 contests, those five touchdowns put the fourth-rounder in the top-half of the league via scores on deep passes.
Minshew, in comparison, has tossed one touchdown and two interceptions on such throws. His 47.9 grade via Pro Football Focus when throwing passes 20+ yards downfield stands as the fifth-lowest grade league-wide.
O’Connell will look to pick up where he left off in 2023 against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6.
*Top Photo: Getty Images
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