Las Vegas Raiders demote Gardner Minshew, elevate Aidan O'Connell to QB starter

The Las Vegas Raiders (2-3) are in a precarious position as their season is in danger of withering away.

Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce announced Wednesday that the team plans to reinsert quarterback Aidan O'Connell into the starting lineup on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“It wasn’t a team decision. It was my decision. I just felt it’s what’s best for our offense going forward,” Pierce said.

O'Connell lost an offseason quarterback competition to Gardner Minshew. Minshew’s rocky first five games with the Raiders led to his demotion. The journeyman QB was replaced by O'Connell during Las Vegas’ 34-18 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Minshew was benched after completing 12 of 17 passes for 137 yards with one touchdown and two costly interceptions.

“It is what it is. Try to help the team, whatever I can. Try to still be an Aidan’s [O’Connell] ear, tell him things I've been seeing and keep providing a positive presence on the sideline,” Minshew said after being replaced. “At the end of the day, no matter what my role [is] on the team, I’m going to try and help the team any way I can.”

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O'Connell started 10 games as a rookie last season after being promoted from a backup role. He finished with 2,394 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He went 5-5 as a starter. The Raiders drafted O'Connell in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft.

“He’s not looking like a rookie no more (and) not acting like a rookie no more. He has a certain presence about himself,” Pierce said. “I love how he walks around the building. Really what I respected the most is when we named Gardner the starter, he was, ‘all right, I’m going to be the best scout team quarterback possible.’ And he was lighting our (expletive) up. Everyday he gave us the best look and he walked around with a smile on his face.”

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Pierce’s decision to switch quarterbacks comes amid Davante Adams trade speculation. Adams’ future is in doubt in Las Vegas after the wide receiver requested a trade.

Adams, who signed a five-year, $141.25 million contract with the Raiders in 2022 after being traded from Green Bay, is the team’s best offensive player. He’s led the Raiders in receptions and receiving yards in each of the past two seasons.

With Adams likely on his way out the door and quarterback uncertainty, the Raiders 2024 season seems in peril. To compound matters, the Kansas City Chiefs are 5-0 and well on their way to winning their ninth straight AFC West title.

“It really just comes down to all of us collectively playing better football,” Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby said. “It's simple stuff like that we didn't do well enough, and it starts with me, starts with leaders, and we just got to find ways to keep getting better and we're going to do that every single day.”

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.