Aiden O’Connell and Gardner Minshew have strong performances against Vikings in preseason

The talk of Raiders training camp has been who will be the Raiders 2024 starting quarterback? Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce alluded to whichever quarterback created separation in training camp and preseason will get the job. Saturday Raiders had their first preseason game against the Vikings and both quarterbacks played well enough to not create separation for the job.

Aiden O'Connell got the start and looked good, completing 7-of-9 passes for 76 yards on a field-goal drive. In his lone possession, the second-year quarterback looked comfortable in the pocket, displayed good accuracy and a willingness to get to his second and third reads. His biggest knock has been his lack of mobility, but he was able to extend plays with his legs to find an open man. O’Connell was insync with second year Raiders wide receiver Jacobi Meyers. O”Connell was also able to get Raiders first round pick Brock Bowers the ball for healthy gains.

Gardner Minshew entered the game in the second quarter and found great success himself. Minshew led the Raiders to three consecutive scoring drives, going 6-of-12 passing for 117 yards and a TD. Minshew's ability to extend plays with his legs is where he has the advantage over O”Connell as O’Connell is the typical drop back passer and Minshew can create with his legs. The veteran immediately guided Vegas on a six-play touchdown drive that included a deep 29-yard lob that Tre Tucker laid out to snag. Minshewcapped it off with a perfect 20-yard touch pass to DJ Turner for the score.

"Yeah, it was good. Good reps there for Aidan. Backed up, got us drove all the way down the length of the field. It was close there, was thinking about going for the fourth down, negative play, we kicked a field goal," head coach Antonio Pierce said post-game, via team transcripts. "And then Gardner came in, three good drives. Really for both quarterbacks, all four possessions led to points on the board for the Raiders. That was positive. There's a lot of things obviously we can learn from it."

The Raiders next game will be next Saturday August 17 at Allegiant Stadium against the Dallas Cowboys. The Raiders have not announced who will start that game yet.