Who will be the Raiders’ starting quarterback in 2024?

As the 2024 NFL season approaches, one of the most intriguing storylines surrounding the Las Vegas Raiders is the competition for the starting quarterback position. Head coach Antonio Pierce has indicated that the decision on who will lead the Raiders' offense in Week 1 will likely come after their preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys.

The battle is between the incumbent starter, Aidan O'Connell, and the seasoned free-agent acquisition, Gardner Minshew II. Both quarterbacks bring different skills and experiences to the table, making this a complex decision for the coaching staff.

Here is a brief analysis of both options as well as a prediction as to who will win the starting job.

Aidan O’Connell: The Incumbent with Upside

O'Connell, who the Raiders drafted in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft, took over as the starter last season. Despite his inexperience, O’Connell demonstrated flashes of potential, showing poise in the pocket and an ability to make accurate throws under pressure.

His performances were not without flaws, but for a rookie thrown into the deep end, O'Connell showed enough to earn the confidence of the coaching staff. In 11 games played last season, O’Connell had 213 completions, 2,218 passing yards and  12 touchdowns compared to seven interceptions.

Gardner Minshew II: The Veteran

On the other side of the competition is Minshew, a player with significant starting experience and a reputation for being a steady hand at quarterback. Minshew, who has played for multiple teams and served as both a starter and a backup, brings a level of professionalism and reliability that O'Connell has yet to demonstrate consistently.

Minshew is known for his accuracy, especially on short and intermediate routes, which could be critical in an offense that may need to rely on quick passes and timing routes due to protection issues. Last season with the Indianapolis Colts, Minshew had 305 completions, 3,305 passing yards and 15 touchdowns compared to nine interceptions.

Prediction

The decision will have larger implications than it may first seem. This will be one of Pierce's first major decisions made since being officially signed as the Raiders head coach. Whoever he chooses to roll with in Week 1 will immediately put him into the spotlight.

With that being said, Pierce will likely go with the experienced veteran Minshew. Minshew, who stepped in as the Colts starter early last season, led them to within one game of a playoff birth. Pierce will rely on Minshew to build chemistry and momentum early in the season with the offense.