The Las Vegas Raiders are set to enter the 2024 campaign with Gardner Minshew as their starting quarterback after choosing the veteran over Aidan O'Connell following an offseason competition between the two.
But there isn't a ton of optimism about that decision for Raider Nation. After all, the book is already written on Minshew as a starter in the NFL, and it isn't great. Also, Minshew never clearly separated himself from O'Connell in the battle.
In a recent article by Mike Sando of The Athletic that ranks the top-30 quarterbacks in the NFL, an unnamed offensive coach had quite the harsh critique of the new Raiders starter, who landed at No. 25 on the list.
"Nobody wants him to be a starter, probably even his own team, but he won games with Indy last year," the coach said in Sando's article. "When you play him, the kid is competitive. He will keep you in the game — and them. It's going to be a fight."
Minshew has no doubt shown some flashes during his career, and he nearly led the Colts to the playoffs last season, but nobody is going to pretend like he's the ideal option to be starting under center.
That's why we've been saying all offseason that the Raiders should have just given O'Connell a look to start the year since he at least offers the chance for upside given the fact that he's entering his second season and showed some promise in Year 1.
Instead, the Raiders are rolling with Minshew, who may not have the job long if he falters to start the season.