There are a lot of quarterback alternatives available to the Los Vegas Raiders this summer, but not many appear to be discussing the prospect of Aidan O’Connell being the starting quarterback next year. The organization would prefer to upgrade at the position, but in his final four starts, O’Connell finished 3-1 and threw for eight touchdowns with zero interceptions.
Re-signing a journeyman quarterback to compete with O’Connell could make sense if Las Vegas is unable to select a quarterback in the draft or free agency. Quarterback Garrett Minshew of the Indianapolis Colts could be a great fit, as the Raiders have the second-best odds (+500) of any NFL team, according to Indian Bets. The Colts are the only club with superior odds.
Marcus Mosher noted in a piece on March 5 that “the Raiders are the team with the best odds to land Minshew, after the Colts.” “The Raiders are back in the quarterback market after passing on Jimmy Garoppolo during the free agency period last offseason. Furthermore, it seems improbable that Las Vegas, which picks No. 13, will select one of the top four quarterbacks in the draft. Minshew might be the Raiders’ stand-in player before the NFL Draft.
Although Anthony Richardson, a former first-round choice, will likely start for the Colts at quarterback going forward, they must ensure they have a strong backup in place due to his injury concerns from the previous year. On the other hand, Minshew might view the Raiders as a franchise where he has a more direct route to starting.
Gardner Minshew Makes Sense for the Raiders in Las Vegas
It’s unlikely that any team will turn to Garner Minshew as their surefire starting quarterback. In Anthony Richardson’s absence, he helped the Colts to a 7-6 record and has shown himself to be an excellent backup.
Many teams will make acquiring a backup like Minshew a top goal after the season’s spate of quarterback injuries. Still, he ought to be more inclined to join a squad without a certain starter.
The Raiders stand a strong chance of starting some games, barring any unforeseen circumstances in the upcoming months. Additionally, Minshew would fit in well culturally. It’s understandable why he would be a huge fan favorite in Las Vegas, given his reputation as a bit of a wild man throughout his career. Given that he is a bit of a wild man himself, head coach Antonio Pierce would get along well with the quarterback.
What Will Be Gardner Minshew’s Salary?
The fact that a potential Gardner-Minshew contract will be far less expensive than many other quarterback alternatives is another alluring feature.According to Spotrac, he will only earn $5.3 million in the upcoming season. For a backup, that is a fair price, but for a start, it is a deal.
The Raiders might be reluctant to shell out a lot of cash for a seasoned quarterback following the Jimmy Garoppolo debacle from the previous campaign. Minshew’s arm skills won’t impress anyone, but he takes good care of the ball, and his teammates adore him. The Raiders could do a lot worse in terms of inexpensive interim solutions.
