Raiders Rumors: Aidan O'Connell Has 'Slight Edge' Over Gardner Minshew for QB1 Job

Aidan O'Connell is reportedly leading the Las Vegas Raiders' quarterback competition over Gardner Minshew heading into training camp and the preseason.

During an appearance on SportsCenter, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler said he gets the sense that O'Connell has a "slight edge" over Minshew for several reasons, including the fact that he has been more vocal than he was as a rookie and is "acting like a starter."

Fowler also referenced a previous report he made that Raiders superstar wide receiver Davante Adams "loves" O'Connell.

While O'Connell may be the leader, Fowler didn't count out Minshew, noting that he has already "made quite the impression" and has learned the offense to the point that he was changing plays in the huddle during OTAs.

Last offseason, the Raiders parted ways with Derek Carr and replaced him with Jimmy Garoppolo, but after a rough start to the season, the decision was made to bench with Jimmy G and start O'Connell.

It can be argued that O'Connell far exceeded the expectations most typically have for a rookie fourth-round pick, as he went 5-5 in 10 starts and completed 62.1 percent of his passes for 2,218 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

There was some thought that the Raiders would be candidates to select a quarterback in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft to compete with O'Connell, but they instead passed on taking a quarterback all together and chose to only sign a veteran in Minshew.

Since the Raiders only signed Minshew to a two-year, $25 million deal, they aren't necessarily under any obligation to start him, although he has played well at most of the stops along his journeyman career.

Originally a sixth-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019, Minshew went 6-6 as a rookie and threw for 21 touchdowns with just six interceptions.

He was primarily a backup for the next few seasons in Jacksonville and with the Philadelphia Eagles, but he was thrust back into the spotlight last season as a member of the Indianapolis Colts.

The 28-year-old started the year as the backup to Anthony Richardson, but when Richardson was lost for the season due to injury, Minshew stepped up and went 7-6 in 13 starts.

He also completed 62.2 percent of his passes for 3,305 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions, and rushed for three scores en route to his first career Pro Bowl selection.

The fact that Minshew provides a higher floor could give him a solid shot to win the starting job, but there is no doubt that the big-armed O'Connell has the higher ceiling.

Regardless, Fowler theorized that O'Connell and Minshew may essentially split snaps during the preseason until a winner is determined.