Raiders announce Minshew as Week 1 starter

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew will start the team's season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers, head coach Antonio Pierce said Sunday.

Pierce said he chose Minshew over Aidan O'Connell because of the former's "experience" and "processing" ability.

"A lot of stuff we can get better at. I don't think anything here is a finished product, but based off of where we want to go for the first quarter of the season, we feel like Gardner gives us the best opportunity," Pierce said.

Las Vegas signed Minshew to a two-year, $25-million deal in free agency. He has suited up in both of the Raiders' preseason games, completing 16 of 33 passes for 212 yards with one touchdown.

The 28-year-old has started 37 games during his five-year career. He led the Indianapolis Colts in 13 contests last campaign after then-rookie signal-caller Anthony Richardson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.

Of 24 quarterbacks who played at least 320 snaps from Week 6-18 in 2023, Minshew ranked 18th in EPA/play and 22nd in completion percentage.

"His personality is infectious, his energy is infectious, his leadership is infectious," Pierce said of Minshew.

He added: "There is some magic about him when he does break the pocket and he does his thing."

O'Connell, who the club selected in the fourth round of the 2023 draft, started 10 games last season. He went 5-5 with 2,218 passing yards and 12 touchdowns.

The Raiders hired Luke Getsy as their offensive coordinator after spending last year with the Chicago Bears in the same role. Las Vegas' offense struggled last season, ranking 26th in EPA/play and 27th in yards per game.