Minshew Benched in Favor of Aidan O’Connell

Head coach Antonio Pierce announced this week that second-year quarterback Aidan O'Connell will take over the starting role in Week 6, as the Raiders prepare to face the Pittsburgh Steelers. This decision follows O'Connell's brief appearance late in the third quarter of last week’s blowout loss to the Denver Broncos, where the offense struggled significantly. O'Connell’s performance, although limited, showcased his potential, and the coaching staff hopes he can inject new energy into the team. This change reflects the Raiders' uncertainty at the quarterback position, marking O'Connell's first start of the year and a pivotal moment for the team moving forward.

Gardner Minshew was brought in this offseason to rejuvenate a Raiders offense that had been stagnant for the past few seasons. However, Minshew has struggled to find consistency, and the offense has continued to sputter. Through five games, the Raiders are 2-3, with Minshew throwing more interceptions than touchdowns. His current stat line includes a 71% completion rate for 1,014 yards, with a 4-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio—far from what the team expected when they signed him, especially with O'Connell already on the roster.

O'Connell, who impressed in limited action last season, passed for just over 2,200 yards with 12 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. While not groundbreaking, his performance was solid, especially considering the dysfunction within the coaching staff at the time. It’s understandable why Coach Pierce is making this change early in the season. O'Connell will make his first start of the year this Sunday at 4:05 PM in Pittsburgh, where he’ll face the Steelers in what promises to be an exciting matchup.