Raiders bench QB Gardner Minshew, will start Aidan O'Connell vs. Steelers

During his weekly news conference previewing Sunday’s game in Las Vegas, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin spoke highly of the then-Raiders quarterback.

“I got a lot of respect for (Gardner) Minshew, man,” Tomlin said. “…I’ve just always appreciated his moxie and in-game savvy.”

Tomlin will not have an opportunity to witness Minshew’s on-field in person, at least not to start this week.

Raiders coach Antonio Pierce told reporters in Las Vegas on Wednesday that Aidan O’Connell is the team’s new starting quarterback. O’Connell would therefore make his first start of the season at 4:05 p.m. at Allegiant Stadium against the Steelers.

“At this point I think it’s best to go with Aidan going forward,” Pierce said.

From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: The #Raiders are moving forward with QB Aidan O'Connell this weekend vs. the #Steelers. pic.twitter.com/E00Fua3vau

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 9, 2024

“I don’t plan on making switches at any time. When it’s time to make a switch, you make a switch.”

A fourth-round pick out of Purdue last year, O’Connell played in 11 games and started 10 as a rookie. His first start was the week after the Steelers played at the Raiders on Week 4 of last season.

O’Connell went 5-5 as a starter, completing 62.1% of his passes with 12 touchdowns, seven interceptions and an 83.9 passer rating in 2023. Over the offseason, the Raiders signed veteran Minshew to a two-year, $25 million contract. He won a purported camp competition to be the starter but threw five interceptions in five games before getting benched after throwing his second interception during this past Sunday’s loss to the Denver Broncos. One was returned 100 yards for a touchdown.

Minshew threw three touchdown passes for the Indianapolis Colts in a victory against the Steelers 10 months ago.