Gardner Minshew beats Aidan O'Connell in the battle for the job as starting quarterback of the Raiders

HENDERSON, Nev. – Gardner Minshew has made a name for himself as a quarterback who can generate momentum off the bench, and now he'll get a chance to start for the Raiders when they open their season next month.

Las Vegas coach Antonio Pierce made the announcement on Sunday, with Minshew being chosen over Aidan O'Connell.

Pierce said Minshew's experience and his handling of the offense gave him the edge.

“Certainly, some of what he's shown in practice has shown up in games,” Pierce said. “We can get better at a lot of things. I don't think everything is done here, but based on what we want to accomplish in the first quarter of the season, we think Gardner gives us the best chance.”

The Raiders will host their former Bay Area rivals, the San Francisco 49ers, in their final preseason game on Friday. They will open the season on September 8 in Los Angeles against the Chargers.

Minshew, now in his sixth year, nearly led the Indianapolis Colts to the playoffs last season. He took over after rookie QB Anthony Richardson injured his shoulder four games into the season.

Minshew, 28, was 7-6 passing as a starter, throwing for 3,305 yards and 15 touchdowns with nine interceptions. With Richardson returning for the season, Minshew moved to Las Vegas and signed a two-year, $25 million contract.

Minshew competed for the Raiders job with O'Connell, who took over midway through last season and posted a 5-4 record in his first year with Las Vegas.

Neither quarterback was able to break away, something Pierce admitted after the 27-12 loss to Dallas on Saturday night in the preseason. Minshew completed 10 of 21 passes for 95 yards against the Cowboys and O'Connell completed 14 of 20 for 96 yards with a touchdown and an interception that was returned for a TD.

Both played much better the week before in Minnesota: O'Connell led a 15-play, 83-yard drive that ended in a field goal, and Minshew led three series that resulted in 17 points.

Pierce had said he wanted to select a starter after the Raiders faced the Cowboys, and he did so on Sunday. He said Minshew's personality was infectious.

“He needs to improve his footwork in the pocket, sticking to the script,” Pierce said. “He has a magic about him when he breaks out of the pocket and does his thing, but there are a lot of situations where we have to get going on the first or second read. He understands that and, more importantly, he takes care of the football.”

Minshew may have the job right now, but that doesn't mean he'll keep it all season.

“I told them both to just be ready,” Pierce said. “In the National Football League, you never know. Aidan is a young player with tremendous potential and I think he's going to be a starter in this league at some point, whether it's this year or next year. But he's going to play in games. I think Gardner has done a good job of being that older presence.”

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