Davante Adams Believes Aidan O'Connell Is The Starter
When asked who the Las Vegas Raiders' starting quarterback is heading into training camp at the end of July, wide receiver Davante Adams thinks it's Aidan O'Connell over newcomer Gardner Minshew. "I want whoever is going to look the best when it's live bullets... I think right now if I had to say, I think Aidan has the job," Adams said. O'Connell has the experience running the offense from 2023, but given the two-year, $25 million investment in Minshew this offseason, it wouldn't be a surprise if Minshew takes the job from O'Connell in camp and the preseason. Both signal-callers didn't look great during OTAs and minicamp, and O'Connell was up and down in 10 starts in 2023 in his rookie season. Whoever wins the Raiders job under center to open the 2024 campaign will be a low-end QB2 option for fantasy managers in superflex formats.
Gardner Minshew, Aidan O'Connell Expected To Split Reps In Training Camp
Las Vegas Raiders quarterbacks Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell split snaps with the starters during offseason team activities and will continue to do so when training camp begins later this month. Both signal-callers got off to rough starts during OTAs and struggled with accuracy, turned the ball over too much and failed to consistently push the ball down the field. They are both learning offensive coordinator Luke Getsy's scheme, but they both still have a ways to go. The front office and coaching staff are confident that Minshew or O'Connell will separate themselves in training camp and the preseason. It will depend on performance, but it wouldn't be a surprise if both Minshew and O'Connell take the field at some point in 2024. Minshew is probably the favorite given his experience and ability to make plays with his legs.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell was unexpectedly moved into the starting role last season after veterans Jimmy Garoppolo and Brian Hoyer flamed out and head coach Josh McDaniels was fired. The Purdue product completed 62.1% of his passes for 2,218 yards, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He played well enough to contend to be the starting in 2024, but he'll have to beat out Gardner Minshew II. Hoyer, a 15-year NFL veteran, isn't counting O'Connell out. "Maybe I'm biased," Hoyer said. "But I think what Aidan did last year -- I know he hasn't shown it as much as Gardner Minshew has throughout his career -- but I know the guys really gravitated to the way Aidan took over and his leadership as a young player." O'Connell has familiarity with the organization and chemistry with Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers, so he could have a slight edge in the battle for the QB1 spot. If he wins the job, he might have underrated value in Superflex and two-QB formats.
No Front-Runner Yet Between Aidan O'Connell, Gardner Minshew II
Las Vegas Raiders quarterbacks Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew II continue to split reps during offseason programs, but there's no clear favorite for the starting job, according to Tashan Reed of The Athletic. "While they've both taken quickly to offensive coordinator Luke Getsy's system, neither stood out much during practices," Reed wrote. "The defense decidedly had the upper hand regardless of who was at quarterback." Both quarterbacks will have plenty of opportunities to compete over the next couple of months, but for the time being, fantasy managers must continue to grapple with the uncertainty out of Las Vegas as they prepare their rosters for the 2024 season. Whichever signal caller wins the job would be a high-end fantasy QB3 by Week 1.
Aidan O'Connell The Early Favorite To Start For Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders signed veteran Gardner Minshew to a two-year, $25 million contract this offseason, yet 2023 fourth-round pick Aidan O'Connell is the early favorite to handle QB1 duties in 2024, according to head coach Antonio Pierce. "Aidan's earned the right to go out there and earn the first snap," Pierce said. "What he's done this offseason -- changing his body, his work ethic, being here every day, blocking out the outside noise. He's not worried about anything. I'm excited." O'Connell replaced Jimmy Garoppolo in the middle of last season and threw for 2,219 yards, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. The team went 5-5 during his 10 starts. Although the job sounds like it's his to lose, Minshew will also likely have the chance to battle for the starting role this offseason. The 27-year-old has thrown for 59 touchdowns and 24 interceptions during his five-year career and has looked like at least a mid-level starter at times. Whoever wins the job will get to throw to Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, and Brock Bowers this year, so either could be a solid QB2 in Superflex formats.
Gardner Minshew, Aidan O'Connell To Compete For Starting Job
The Las Vegas Raiders didn't take a quarterback in this year's NFL draft, which means QBs Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell are set to compete for the starting job in training camp this summer. The Raiders were rumored to be angling to trade up in the first round of the draft for a franchise signal-caller, but instead they stayed put and took Georgia tight end Brock Bowers with their first-round selection. O'Connell held his own in 2023 when he was thrust into the starting role because of Jimmy Garoppolo's injuries and inconsistency, but Minshew should still be considered the favorite this fall given his experience. The 27-year-old Minshew would be a solid midrange QB2 in fantasy if he wins the starting job after making his first career Pro Bowl in 2023 with the Colts. He threw for a career-high 3,305 yards, 15 TDs and nine interceptions in 17 games (13 starts).
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell has earned a chance to compete for the starting job, according to head coach Antonio Pierce. As of right now, O'Connell and Gardner Minshew are expected to compete for the starting job next season. However, the Raiders may add another quarterback to the mix during the draft. Last season, O'Connell threw for over 2,000 passing yards with 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 11 games. He looks like a high-end backup, but probably not someone the Raiders want to rely on all season long.
Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Aidan O'Connell (finger) completed 20 passes on 31 attempts (65%) for 244 yards and two touchdowns in the Week 18 win against the Denver Broncos. O'Connell was injured in this contest, leaving briefly with a right-finger injury, but was able to return and finish the game. The rookie quarterback finished the season with back-to-back games over 240 passing yards and two touchdowns. With the Raiders already eliminated from playoff contention, O'Connell's season has officially ended. It remains to be seen if O'Connell will remain the team's starting quarterback heading into next season, but he finished the season with positive momentum. The rookie quarterback showed signs of development as the season progressed. If O'Connell can build on his rookie season, he has the potential to be a viable fantasy starter next season.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (finger) is questionable to return to Sunday's game versus the Denver Broncos. The Raiders have nothing to gain with a win on Sunday, so the rookie could be done for the remainder of Week 18. If so, he will finish with a respectable 151 yards and a touchdown off 14-for-24 passing. Nonetheless, O'Connell isn't a lock to remain under center next season. He's had a few adequate fantasy outings. However, he's also struggled more than once. At any rate, Jimmy Garoppolo is in to potentially close out the Raiders' season.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell completed 30 of 47 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns in Week 17 against the Indianapolis Colts. Despite having one of his best performances, O'Connell was stuck with the loss against Indianapolis. O'Connell picked up a win in arguably the worst start of his career the week prior, so it appears his impact on the team's wins and losses is negligible. The Raiders face the Denver Broncos in Week 18. The Broncos defense improved as the season went on, and their secondary is a solid unit. Despite having potent weapons around him, O'Connell is not a dependable starter. Fantasy managers should leave him on the waiver wire for the season's finale.
