Aidan O’Connell will start at quarterback in place of Gardner Minshew when the Las Vegas Raiders take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6.
Head coach Antonio Pierce announced the decision on Wednesday. The Raiders are making changes after a 2-3 start, including a loss to AFC West rival Denver Broncos in Week 5.
Asked why he made that decision, Pearce did not provide details.
“There was a quarterback battle early on,” Pierce said. “At this point, I think it’s best to move forward with Aidan.”
“We’re not going to switch all the time. When it’s time to switch, we’ll switch.”
O’Connell started 10 games for the Raiders as a rookie last season, while Pierce served as the team’s interim head coach. He completed 62.1 percent of his passes for 201.6 yards per game, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. The Raiders went 5-5 in games in which O’Connell started.
The Raiders signed Minshew to a two-year, $25 million contract in the offseason after he served as a backup quarterback with the Indianapolis Colts. Minshew is a six-year NFL veteran who joins the Raiders and has played in 37 games as an NFL starter with three different teams.
Pierce named Minshew the starting quarterback after competing for the position in the preseason and training camp.
“It’s everything I saw in surgery, processing and practice,” Pierce said in August of Minshew’s award. “Some of that showed in the game. There’s a lot of things we can get better at. I don’t think what we have here is a finished product.
“But considering where we want to be in the first quarter of the season, we feel like Gardner gives us the best opportunity.”
Minshew started five games this season, completing 70.7 percent of his passes with four touchdowns and five interceptions for 202.8 yards per game. The Raiders rank 24th in the league in total offense and 15th in passing yards per game.
Pierce benched Minshew for O’Connell after Minshew threw his second interception of the game in the third quarter of Sunday’s 34-18 loss to the Broncos. Minshew’s first interception was in the end zone and returned 100 yards to Patrick Surtain II, the No. 6 pick. The Raiders had a chance to take a two-possession lead after the first interception, but the lead fell to 10-10. 10 ties.
At the time of the quarterback change, the Raiders were leading 20-10. Minshew completed 12 of 17 passes against the Broncos, with one touchdown and two interceptions.
After replacing Minshew, O’Connell completed 10 of 20 passes for 94 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.
The quarterback change signals further turmoil in what has been a tumultuous season for Las Vegas. After Week 3, Pierce criticized the players for making a “business decision” in a blowout loss to the Carolina Panthers. Now, the Raiders are answering questions about trade rumors involving All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams. Those rumors were further amplified by social activity suggesting Pierce was in favor of trading Adams.
Adams has been sidelined for the past two weeks with a hamstring injury amid trade rumors. Pierce told reporters Monday that Adams’ hamstring is “up there” and that Adams’ head space is “good.”
