Barring a massive splash in the 2024 NFL draft, the Las Vegas Raiders will start journeyman quarterback Gardner Minshew next fall. Las Vegas inked Minshew to a two-year, $25 million contract, including $6 million guaranteed. The Raiders moved on from last year’s starter, Jimmy Garoppolo, after an injury-riddled season that resulted in mediocre stats. After violating the league’s drug policy, Garoppolo will serve a two-game suspension to start the 2024 campaign.
Most pundits believe Minshew will operate as a stopgap quarterback, with youngster Aidan O’Connell and a potential rookie waiting in the wings. However, one NFL writer believes that despite posting solid numbers in 2023, Minshew will fail to replicate the same success, resulting in the storied franchise rethinking their quarterback room after the season.
Las Vegas Raiders QB Gardner Minshew: Projected Downturn Per Media Outlet
Kevin Patra, a writer for Around the NFL, broke down the projections for quarterbacks wearing new threads in 2024. Among those veterans moving teams is gunslinger Gardner Minshew, who left the Indianapolis Colts for the Las Vegas Raiders. Minshew threw for 3,305 yards, 15 touchdowns, and nine picks last season while nearly leading Indianapolis to the playoffs. However, Patra believes Minshew will take a step backward regarding production after joining the AFC West club.
“He’s exactly what you want in a backup quarterback: someone who can go in and keep your club competitive, whether for a series or 12 games. I believe he was a better fit in Shane Steichen’s scheme than what we’ve seen from Raiders OC Luke Getsy, but Minshew is a solid placeholder,” says Petra regarding Minshew’s outlook. The Washington State product will play under Getsy next year, and he is more of a run specialist than his old offensive play-caller, Shane Steichen.
Petra continued, “The question is whether Vegas gets aggressive in finding a rookie quarterback in the first round or decides to roll with Minshew and Aiden O’Connell in 2024 before re-evaluating the position in 2025.” Petra has Minshew posting worse numbers next season.
Las Vegas Raiders: Starting Antonio Pierce Era
After a successful 5-4 run as the interim head coach for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023, Antonio Pierce signed on as the official frontman this offseason. Despite a mid-season firing of then-head coach Josh McDaniels, the Raiders finished with eight wins, tied for their second-most in seven seasons. Las Vegas had one of the best defenses in the NFL, allowing only 19.5 points per game, the ninth-lowest mark in the league.
However, the offense struggled, scoring only 19.5 points per game. They rushed for 4.2 yards per game, the 28th lowest in the NFL. Additionally, they labored to pass the football. They signed Gardner Minshew this offseason to help stabilize the passing attack.
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