Las Vegas Raiders Still Considering a Quarterback Change

In Henderson, Nevada, Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce has not dismissed the possibility of switching quarterbacks from Gardner Minshew to Aidan O’Connell. This statement comes in the wake of O’Connell’s late-game touchdown drive, which occurred during the Raiders’ disappointing 36-22 home loss to the Carolina Panthers.

During a press conference on Monday, delayed by over an hour due to extensive meetings with his coaching staff, Pierce emphasized the importance of evaluating the team’s performance. The loss dropped the Raiders’ record to 1-2 for the season.

Pierce, who had previously commented on players making “business decisions” during the game, stood by his remarks. He asserted, “I don’t bite my tongue,” indicating that transparency is critical in his approach to coaching.

As the Raiders prepare to host the Cleveland Browns—currently also at 1-2—Pierce noted that his team had yet to make any business decisions of their own. He highlighted the need for players to step up when their performance is lacking, stressing the essence of team football.

“There are times when your best players may not perform at their highest level, and it’s essential for others to fill that gap,” Pierce stated. “You have to put forth your best effort at full speed.”

Throughout the game against the Panthers, Pierce felt that the effort exhibited by his team was below the standards set in earlier contests. This disparity in performance contributed to the lopsided score, and he acknowledged that the team must improve moving forward.

O’Connell, who stepped in during the game with 4:47 left on the clock and the team down 36-15, displayed promising skills despite the challenging circumstances. He led the Raiders on a 70-yard, 13-play scoring drive. Passing for 82 yards and completing nine of twelve attempts, O’Connell threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Tre Tucker.

On being inserted into the game, O’Connell expressed uncertainty about its implications for his future playing time. “When my number is called, I just want to execute,” he said. “It’s a different scenario when you’re playing the entire game versus coming in during crunch time. We aim to be ahead in the game, but I’m thankful for the chance to contribute. Our team has plenty of room for improvement, myself included.”

Minshew, who started the game, completed 18 of 28 passes for 214 yards, along with a touchdown and an interception. His performance this season includes a completion percentage of 73.7%, ranking fourth among quarterbacks with at least 50 attempts. He currently has 747 passing yards, placing him sixth in the league, along with three touchdowns and three interceptions.

After the game, Minshew reflected on the team’s approach to the season: “AP was talking in the locker room about not riding the roller coaster of ups and downs, but instead, we need to focus on continuous improvement. We have the right people in place to support us, and if we stay committed, I believe we will be just fine.”

In addition to the quarterback discussions, the team faced a significant blow with the news that safety Marcus Epps suffered a torn ACL, according to reports from NFL Network. This injury underscores the challenges the Raiders have encountered this season, adding urgency to their upcoming game against the Browns.