The Las Vegas Raiders’ decision to sign quarterback Gardner Minshew to a two-year, $25 million contract last offseason may have been a significant blunder.
It’s now being viewed as one of the key mistakes that led to the firing of general manager Tom Telesco and head coach Antonio Pierce. After being named the Week 1 starter, Minshew’s performance was far from stellar. He threw nine touchdowns against 10 interceptions before a season-ending collarbone injury cut his campaign short.
Looking ahead, it seems unlikely that the new front office duo of general manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll will have Minshew in their plans for the 2025 season. Pro Football Network recently named him as the Raiders’ top cut candidate heading into the offseason.
Minshew’s Struggles and Future with the Raiders
Pro Football Network’s Jan. 26 article suggests that while the Raiders’ $90 million in projected cap space means they don’t need to cut Minshew, keeping him could create unnecessary complications for the team. Minshew’s performance ranked 35th in PFN’s QB+ rankings, with a D- grade. Meanwhile, backup Aidan O’Connell, who finished with a more respectable C grade, might deserve a chance to start if the Raiders don’t acquire a high-caliber quarterback in the offseason. This raises questions about Minshew’s future with the team.
Aidan O’Connell: The Potential Starter for 2025?
Looking at the quarterback landscape, it’s becoming evident that O’Connell might get another shot at the starting role in 2025. Despite not setting the world on fire this season, O’Connell threw eight touchdowns to four interceptions and was hampered by injuries. Had he been named the starter from the beginning, his numbers could have been better. Though not a franchise quarterback, O’Connell has shown enough promise to be considered a high-end stopgap, especially when the quarterback free-agent market is lacking strong options.
O’Connell’s lack of mobility isn’t ideal, but he has shown accuracy and a solid arm, which could make him a more reliable option than Minshew. With the Raiders likely to draft a quarterback in the coming seasons, O’Connell could be a suitable placeholder unless the team selects a top prospect with one of their first-round picks.
Patience May Be Key for the Raiders’ Quarterback Search
Pete Carroll recently emphasized that finding a great quarterback is much easier said than done. The NFL has fewer than 10 truly elite quarterbacks, and paying big money to one who is “good” but not elite could be a costly mistake. The Raiders could find themselves in a situation where, instead of scrambling for a quarterback this offseason, they might opt to wait and pursue a stronger option in the future.
If the Raiders choose to stick with O’Connell and draft a rookie, they’ll need to be patient as they look for the right long-term solution at quarterback. Carroll and Spytek will likely need to evaluate whether it’s worth pulling the trigger on a high-profile name like Sam Darnold or trading up to select someone like Shedeur Sanders—or if they should instead bide their time until a better quarterback option presents itself.
The Raiders are in a tough spot, but unless they find the right quarterback, their rebuild will continue. Finding that player is essential for their future success.
