Raiders HC Antonio Pierce reveals timeline for picking between Aidan O’Connell-Gardner Minshew as starting QB

Antonio Pierce has a decision on his hand that will define his first year as a head coach. The decision to choose between Aidan O’Connell or Gardner Minshew hasn't been an easy one.

Ever since the Las Vegas Raiders lost Derek Carr, they have struggled in the quarterback department. Earlier in the offseason, the franchise signed Gardner Minshew to provide competition to their 2023 fourth-round draft pick Aidan O’Connell.

However, as per Pro Football Talk, neither performed exceptionally well to be named a starter automatically. Yet, the head coach is ready to bring some stability to the team and name a starter.

“We’ve seen enough reps, two games,” Pierce said. (per Yahoo Sports) “Our guys are not playing in the third preseason game, our starters, so we’ll sleep on it and make a decision within the next couple days.”

The Raiders will take on the San Francisco 49ers this week and as per the HC, the world will know his choice for the starter position before that.

Antonio Pierce also highlighted the criteria that will be used when making the final decision.

“It’s going to be everything,” Pierce added. “I’m going all the way back to OTAs, minicamp, training camp, two preseason games, there’s going to be a lot of factors, command of the offense, operational part, efficiency, turnovers is huge — taking care of the football is important for our team.”

NFL: Denver Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders - Source: IMAGN

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Antonio Pierce restores discipline within the Raiders

Earlier in the offseason, the Raiders camp went viral for comparing Kansas City Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes to a soft toy ‘Kermit the frog’. This incident brought a ton of media attention to the Raiders. However, Antonio Pierce took matters into his own hands to stop that.

“We addressed it as a team yesterday, and we nipped it in the bud. it's over with,” Pierce told the reporters.

The Chiefs and the Raiders have a historic rivalry in the AFC West. The teams will clash twice this season, first in Week 8 at the Allegiant Stadium and then for the return leg in Week 13 at the Arrowhead Stadium.