NFL Rumors: Gardner Minshew, Aidan O'Connell to Compete for Raiders Week 6 QB1 Job

Amid a sluggish start to the season for the Las Vegas Raiders, head coach Antonio Pierce will have a quarterback battle to decide who is under center against the Pittsburgh Steelers this week.

Per The Athletic's Vic Tafur, Gardner Minshew, who started the first five games of the season, will compete with backup Aidan O'Connell this week to determine the Raiders' Week 6 starter.

Minshew inked a two-year, $25 million contract with Las Vegas this offseason after a solid season with the Indianapolis Colts. He's been good at times this season, completing 70.7 percent of his passes for 1,014 passing yards and four touchdowns, but has also thrown five interceptions, including two on Sunday against the Denver Broncos—one of which was returned for a 100-yard pick six.

After Minshew's two interceptions last week, O'Connell came in for him in the third quarter and threw for 94 yards and an interception. He also played in the waning moments of a loss to the Carolina Panthers and had 82 passing yards and a touchdown.

O'Connell started 10 games his rookie year, throwing for 2,218 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions while leading the Raiders to a 5-5 finish after a 3-5 start to the season.

Minshew won an offseason quarterback battle, giving him the starting job to start the season.

According to Tafur, Minshew has a slight edge over O'Connell because of his mobility. The Raiders have already allowed Minshew to be sacked 15 times so far, and that number could only get worse with a quarterback who can't maneuver around the pocket as well.

Because Minshew is starting with a lead in the quarterback race, it could be more difficult for O'Connell to earn the starting job, but he'll bring his best effort starting Wednesday.