Making a Case For Gardner Minshew II as Raiders’ QB1

Gardner Minshew II brings vital experience as an NFL quarterback to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Whether or not you think new Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II should — based on the current roster — be starting quarterback for the Silver and Black next season, he has a track record that should be in his favor.

Minshew is already on his fourth team in six years, but when given the role of a recurring starter, he keeps his teams afloat. Of course, the Raiders don’t want to merely settle for a quarterback that keeps them above water, but Aidan O’Connell did not set the world on fire with his 5-5 record as a starter last year, either. So, you cannot say one is a more proven winner than the other.

Minshew also has the experience. Not only does he have five years of regular-season experience under his belt, but he seen two postseasons as well. One of them included a run to the Super Bowl when Minshew was on the 2022-23 Philadelphia Eagles roster that went to Super Bowl LVII. While he played a total of just nine snaps in that playoff run, the veteran gained some valuable experience as a member of a winning culture. 

Losing to the Kansas City Chiefs probably fuels the new Raiders quarterback to take down the back-to-back Super Bowl champions as well.

Minshew also comes off a Pro-Bowl campaign. Yes, he was not originally selected to the Pro Bowl and was admitted due to injuries to other AFC quarterbacks, but a Pro Bowl is a Pro Bowl. There’s no disputing the fact that the accolade will be displayed on his resume at the end of his career.

Whether Minshew should have been a Pro Bowler or not, he turned in his best season yet last year, and that should be promising for fans.

And don't forget, he did beat a Raiders team that was at its peak last season, and that should say something.

In his five NFL seasons, Minshew has totaled 9,937 passing yards and 59 passing touchdowns on 891 completions in 49 games (37 starts). He has an overall QB record of 15-22-0.

Minshew was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.

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