Once again, the Las Vegas Raiders are turning to Gardner Minshew as the starting quarterback. This is while waiting for Aidan O’Connell to return from injury. It was expected that Head Coach Antonio Pierce might turn to backup Desmond Ridder to start in week 11. This would be the logical move after Minshew was benched for the third time this season in Week 9. Instead, Pierce decided to stick with Minshew. Pierce said in a press conference “What do we got to lose at this point? We’re 2-7.”
Pierce Might’ve Gotten Cold Feet
According to The Athletic’s Vic Tafur, Pierce might’ve gotten cold feet about starting Ridder. Ridder came into a 41-24 beatdown in Cincinnati and was 11-of-16 for 74 yards and a touchdown. It wasn’t a stellar performance by any means, but it was a better performance than Minshew had given. Minshew’s benching marked the third time he had been benched this season, and he hasn’t inspired much confidence in a brutal offense. The offense has the most turnovers in the NFL with 19.
The offensive line has dealt with injuries dating back to the offseason. Davante Adams requested and was granted a trade to a similarly rough situation with the New York Jets and Zamir White and Alexander Mattison have led the NFL’s worst rushing attack. On top of that, the Las Vegas Raiders have the NFL’s worst turnover differential. They’ve also just replaced Offensive Coordinator Luke Getsy with a father-son duo of Scott Turner and Norv Turner. They’re currently 29th in total yards per game ahead of Chicago, Cleveland, and New England. Minshew is leading the league in interceptions with nine and has also lost four fumbles.
Looking Ahead To the Draft For the Las Vegas Raiders
At this point, the Las Vegas Raiders have to be looking ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft. At present, they are in the top five picks. If the season ended today, they would have the fifth overall pick. They have the toughest schedule of every team in the top five as well, including a “Black Friday” showdown at Arrowhead Stadium. While they played tough against the Chiefs a couple of weeks ago, it’s unlikely they will replicate last season’s Christmas Day miracle.
If the season continues to bottom out, Pierce might be out of a job. The next administration will have to decide who they want to select as the next quarterback. Even if Pierce is still here, there’s no way he can stick by Minshew next season. Even sticking with O’Connell as the quarterback of the future doesn’t seem very inspiring. At 2-7, the Las Vegas Raiders are a bad team and quarterback is their biggest need. There’s potential for them to be in a position to draft Heisman hopeful Cam Ward near the top of the draft. Other options include Sheduer Sanders, Quinn Ewers, and Jalen Milroe.
The Brock Bowers Show Needs To Continue
Brock Bowers might be the only player who benefits from Minshew continuing to start. Bowers is leading all tight ends in receiving. He was leading the NFL in receptions and yards heading into the Las Vegas Raiders bye week in week 10. Jakobi Meyers has done very well this season as well, but Bowers is by far the biggest shining star of the offense. There’s potential for Tre Tucker to break out a little bit more, but the offense doesn’t have any other deep threats. That’s allowed defenses to key on him whenever he goes deep.
With the 32nd-ranked rushing attack, it will be interesting to see how Bowers looks in the new Turner offense. He needs to continue to be the face of the offense. Both Norv and Scott tended to favor a deep passing game in their prior stops. As a result, there will likely be an emphasis on pushing the ball down the field. It’ll put more stress on an offensive line that has been banged up all year but could produce results. Regardless of who becomes the quarterback, Bowers and his development has to be the focus for the Las Vegas Raiders.
