Antonio Pierce make move late in 3rd quarter
In addition to Davante Adams drama, the Las Vegas Raiders have quarterback drama.
Late in the third quarter of their game at the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce benched starting quarterback Gardner Minshew in favor of backup Aidan O’Connell.
O’Connell replaced Minshew in garbage time in a Week 3 loss to the Carolina Panthers. While the Raiders were trailing 20-10 to Denver at the time of this move, it didn’t seem like garage time. It seemed like Minshew was being replaced for performance reasons.
He started the game by completing his first nine passes of the game (including a touchdown to rookie tight end Brock Bowers). But he struggled badly as the game went on, including throwing two interceptions, one for a touchdown return.
Minshew beat out O’Connell in August after a training camp battle. It will be interesting to see what Pierce and his staff do at the position moving forward after Sunday’s game. But it is fair to thin that O’Connell may be behind center in Week 6 at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers.