Quarterback Aidan O’Connell will start for the Las Vegas Raiders when they face the Pittsburgh Steelers, sending Gardner Minshew to the bench.
On Wednesday, Raiders coach Antonio Pierce announced the change after the team’s most recent loss against Denver. The Raiders have a 2-3 record with wins over Baltimore and Cleveland.
At a news conference, Pierce was asked about the starting quarterback and responded, “Yes sir, Aidan O’Connell.”
“There was a quarterback battle from the beginning,” he added. “(Gardner) started five games and at this point, I think it’s best to stick with Aidan going forward.”
O’Connell has seen the field twice this season in losses to the Panthers and Broncos. He completed 19 of 32 passes for 176 yards, one touchdown and one interception. In his few minutes, the second-year player was sacked twice.
Aidan O’Connell will make his first start for the Raiders when they face Pittsburgh on Sunday.
Gardner Minshew will be benched after starting the Raiders’ first five games.
On the other hand, Minshew completed 99 of 140 attempts for 1,014 yards and just four touchdowns. He was intercepted five times and had 15 sacks to start the season.
When asked if the change is concrete for the rest of the season or a testing process, Pierce left the door open to changing things on the fly.
“I don’t plan on making any changes at any point,” the coach said. “When the time comes to make a change, we do it.”
The change is not a surprise to some fans, as Pierce previously teased a change at the position.
In late September, Adam Schefter reported that Pierce was not ruling out a quarterback change after losing to a struggling Carolina team.
The margin was not close as Pierce’s team fell to a lesser opponent on paper. The 36-22 loss sparked rumors that Minshew would be benched, which materialized two games later.
Minshew completed 18 of 28 passes for 214 yards and a touchdown against the Panthers. He was sacked twice and intercepted once.
The Raiders will host the Steelers on the 13th before a tough stretch against the Rams, Chiefs and Bengals throughout the rest of October.