The Las Vegas Raiders added veteran free agent quarterback Gardner Minshew this offseason to compete with Aidan O’Connell, who took over as the team’s starting quarterback last year after Jimmy Garoppolo was benched. It’s not clear who will win the job, but O’Connell is pleased that he is getting a chance.
New Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said earlier this offseason that Aidan O’Connell has “earned the right” to take the first snap with the first-team offense at practice this offseason, and it sounds like O’Connell is grateful that his new head coach is giving him an opportunity to play and compete.
“Since really AP started, he’s put a lot of confidence in me,” O’Connell said according to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “He’s given me a great opportunity. I’m just trying to make the most of the opportunity. It really is a privilege and an opportunity to get to play on the team and get reps at the quarterback position.”
Minshew has far more experience than O’Connell and is thought to be the frontrunner for the job by most people. But O’Connell will be allowed to compete for the job, and it sounds like he’s ready to make the most of his opportunity.
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