Quarterback Aidan O’Connell will start for the Las Vegas Raiders when they take on 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 hold a 2-3 record with wins over Baltimore and Cleveland.
Speaking in a press conference, Pierce was asked about the starting quarterback and answered: ‘Yes sir, Aidan O’Connell.’
‘There was a quarterback battle early on,’ he added. ‘[Gardner] started five games and at this point, I think it’s best to go with Aidan moving forward.’
O’Connell has seen the field twice this season in losses to the Panthers and the Broncos. He completed 19 of 32 passes for 176 yards, a touchdown and an interception. In his few minutes, the second-year player was sacked twice.
Aidan O’Connell will make his first start for the Raider when they take on Pittsburgh on Sunday
Gardner Minshew will be sent to the bench after starting in 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 was on the receiving end of 15 sacks to start the season.
When asked if the switch is concrete for the rest of the season or a trial process, Pierce left the door open to changing things on the fly.
‘I don’t plan on making switches any time,’ the coach said. ‘When it’s time to make a switch, we make a switch.’
The switch is no surprise to some fans, as Pierce previously teased a swap in the position.
In late September, Adam Schefter reported that Pierce was not ruling out a quarterback change after losing to a struggling Carolina side.
The margin was not close as Pierce’s side fell to a lesser opposition on paper. The 36-22 defeat led to whispers of Minshew getting benched, which materialized two games later.
Minshew completed 18 out 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 for the rest of October.
