Davante Adams has "antennas" fired up as Raiders' QB competition between Aidan O’Connell, Gardner Minshew heats up

The Las Vegas Raiders have an ongoing quarterback battle, and wide receiver Davante Adams has been following along closely. The battle is between veteran Gardner Minshew and second-year quarterback Aidan O'Connell.

The Raiders shuffled through Jimmy Garoppolo, O'Connell and Brian Hoyer last season, resulting in an 8-9 record.

While Adams has publicly expressed his frustration with the QB situation in Las Vegas last season, he's been monitoring the battle between Minshew and O'Connell. It will be key for Adams to be on the same page with both quarterbacks at the start of the season, especially the starter.

Adams told ESPN's Paul Gutierrez that he is keeping an eye on their QB battle:

“There’s pros and cons, but at the end of the day, we get enough reps with both guys and we are all communicating. We have really open conversations, and we all get reps with all the quarterbacks . . . and I’m definitely watching at all times, seeing everything and learning how the ball comes out with Gardner versus Aidan. I got my antennas up for everything.”

The Raiders selected O'Connell in the fourth round of last year's draft. On October 1, 2023, O'Connell appeared in his first NFL game; a month later, he was named the Raiders' starting quarterback for the rest of the season. He went 5-5 while throwing 2,219 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

The Raiders signed Minshew in free agency this offseason. Minshew filled in for an injured Anthony Richardson last season and went 7-6 as the Indianapolis Colts' starting quarterback. He threw for 3,305 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Davante Adams "signed off" on the Las Vegas Raiders benching Jimmy Garoppolo last season

Davante Adams, left, Jimmy Garoppolo, right during Green Bay Packers v Las Vegas Raiders - Source: Getty

Davante Adams has some say in the quarterback situation in Las Vegas. Last season, he "signed off" on the team benching. Garoppolo in favor of rookie O'Connell.

Adams confirmed during an episode of the new Netflix documentary "Receiver" that he signed off on the benching, which was part of a deal to remain a Raider:

"Well, my opinion on that, was I signed off on that. And that's just the reality of it. You know, I love Jimmy and he's a great guy, but something had to happen in order for us to have a chance down the stretch and in order for me to remain a Raider, in all honesty."

The Raiders will have their first season with Antonio Pierce as their head coach. Pierce was named interim head coach after the team fired Josh McDaniels in the middle of the 2023 season.

Pierce's first big task is deciding who he will start at quarterback for Week 1.