Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Raiders benching Minshew, name O'Connell QB1

Written by 
Published in Breaking News
Wednesday, 09 October 2024 16:16

HENDERSON, Nev. -- Aidan O'Connell will start at quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, replacing Gardner Minshew, coach Antonio Pierce announced Wednesday.

Minshew won a tight training camp battle over O'Connell but was twice benched late in his five starts for the Raiders, in losses to the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos. The Raiders are 2-3 heading into Sunday's game.

"I mean, it was a quarterback battle early on," Pierce said, "and at this point, I think it's best to go with Aidan going forward."

Pierce said the decision to make the switch was his. Asked if it was permanent for the rest of the season or if Minshew might regain the job, Pierce left the door open.

"I don't plan on making switches at any time," he said. "When it's time to make a switch, we'll make a switch."

Minshew was completing a career-high 70.7% of his passes for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns in five games. But he also threw five interceptions, including a momentum-killing 100-yard pick-six at Denver on Sunday, and his 41.1 QBR is a career low.

O'Connell, meanwhile, has completed 59.4% of his throws in spot duty this season, for 176 yards with one touchdown and an interception. He said he was "obviously disappointed" when he was not named the starter coming out of training camp, but added that Minshew has been "vocal" in his support of him.

O'Connell said his mindset will be the same as when he was the backup because he prepared every day as if he was the starter anyway

"I definitely know that the job is fluid, and so I'm just trying to do my best, really every day," O'Connell said. "Today, I'm focusing on today and not really thinking about any days in the future. I've got to work on what we're working on today, try to get better and take each day that way. And it's hard to do. Your brain wants to go backwards and wants to go forwards, but I think just focusing on the task at hand is the best thing I can do."

Last season, Pierce elevated the then-rookie O'Connell to the starting role over Jimmy Garoppolo and Brian Hoyer upon his own elevation from linebackers coach to interim coach on Nov. 1.

O'Connell went 5-5 as a starter and threw for eight touchdowns without a pick in the Raiders' final four games. On the season, he passed for 2,218 yards with 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 11 appearances.

Pierce said O'Connell has been "way more vocal" this season, even while serving as Minshew's backup.

"Out of that shell, not looking like a rookie no more," Pierce said. "Not acting like a rookie no more. He has a certain presence about himself ... I love how he walks around the building.

"Really, what I respect the most, is when we named Gardner the starter, he said, 'All right, I'm going to be the best scout team quarterback possible.' And he was lighting our ass up. And every day he gives us the best look and he walks around with a smile on his face ... the Baltimore game, he and Jackson Powers[-Johnson] were rallying the troops and pumping them up and he was just a great teammate. So, all those things factor into the decisions."

"He's a steady dude," Meyers said. "You kind of know what you're getting out of him. He a consistent dude. Who he is, is who he is.

"Hopefully, the team responds well. Whatever's going to get us going, man. We've just got to win some games and stay on a positive note."

Jakobi Meyers, who is second on the team in catches (25) and receiving yards (273), is hopeful that the team will respond with O'Connell under center.

"He's a steady dude," Meyers said. "You kind of know what you're getting out of him. He a consistent dude. Who he is, is who he is."

He added: "Whatever's going to get us going, man. We've just got to win some games and stay on a positive note."

Read 52 times

Soccer

With 2 goals, 2 assists, Salah sets new EPL mark

With 2 goals, 2 assists, Salah sets new EPL mark

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsIf this is to be Mohamed Salah's final season at Liverpool, he is g...

Navas bids farewell in Sevilla defeat to Madrid

Navas bids farewell in Sevilla defeat to Madrid

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsJesús Navas played the last LaLiga game of his 21-year career on Su...

Salah-inspired Liverpool beat Spurs in 6-3 thriller

Salah-inspired Liverpool beat Spurs in 6-3 thriller

Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League with a dominant but chaotic 6-3 win a...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Knicks bringing back veteran guard Shamet

Knicks bringing back veteran guard Shamet

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe New York Knicks have agreed to a deal with guard Landry Shamet,...

Magic's Moritz Wagner out for year with torn ACL

Magic's Moritz Wagner out for year with torn ACL

EmailPrintOrlando Magic forward Moritz Wagner has suffered a torn ACL in his left knee and is out fo...

Baseball

Nationals land 1B Lowe in trade with Rangers

Nationals land 1B Lowe in trade with Rangers

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Washington Nationals on Sunday acquired first baseman Nathaniel...

Sources: Manaea back to Mets for 3 years, $75M

Sources: Manaea back to Mets for 3 years, $75M

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLeft-hander Sean Manaea and the New York Mets are in agreement on a...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated