Aidan O’Connell Says Antonio Pierce Has Given Him a ‘Great……..

Aidan O’Connell Says Antonio Pierce Has Given Him a ‘Great Opportunity’

The Las Vegas Raiders begin organized team activities (OTAs) this week, which means players will finally be able to take the field together and prepare for the 2024 season.

The Raiders will hold OTAs on May 20-21, May 23, May 28-29, May 31, and June 3-6 before mandatory minicamp on June 11-13. Antonio Pierce, the new head coach, will need to use these time periods to thoroughly implement his system and schemes on both sides of the field, as well as to begin determining who will start at quarterback.

Gardner Minshew is expected to start in Week 1 of the regular season, but Pierce has been candid about the competition between the veteran and second-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell. O’Connell, a former fourth-round pick, began the last stretch of the 2023 season when Jimmy Garoppolo was benched, and he helped Las Vegas finish 5-4.

O’Connell has frequently praised Pierce and shown thanks to the head coach for providing him the opportunity to win the starting role, according to Shanna McCarriston of CBS:

“Since really AP started, he’s put a lot of confidence in me,” O’Connell stated. “He’s given me an excellent opportunity. I’m just trying to make the most of this chance. It truly is a privilege and an opportunity to play on the squad and get experience at quarterback.”

Minshew is the more experienced alternative, and like O’Connell, he was given the opportunity to start for the Indianapolis Colts after Anthony Richardson missed the rest of the season due to shoulder surgery. Minshew led the Colts to a 7-6 record, although they just missed the playoffs.

At this point in the offseason, it’s difficult to determine who will eventually start for the Raiders, as both options have advantages and disadvantages. While Minshew was signed for two years, the squad had to be impressed with O’Connell, who stepped into a tumultuous situation and completed the season strong.

Training camp will determine who eventually gets the position, and it’ll be intriguing to watch which guy stands out later in the summer.

Gardner Minshew says Raiders were his first option in free agency

Minshew was a viable free agent target for Las Vegas due to his previous starting experience and relatively cheap contract. Minshew reciprocated their interest, subsequently revealing that the Raiders were his first choice in free agency.