The Las Vegas Raiders quarterback battle hits the preseason stage of the competition between Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell.
Head coach Antonio Pierce wouldn't announce a starter for Saturday's preseason matchup against the Minnesota Vikings but said each would get an equal opportunity to set themselves apart.
"We've still got two more true training camp practices, then we've got Wednesday, Thursday, and then that's when we'll start looking at what we want to do game-wise," Pierce told reporters Monday. "Like I said, both quarterbacks are gonna play a legit quarter. Who goes out first and who goes out second really doesn't matter. [They will] get hopefully an equal amount of snaps and opportunity to showcase."
Throughout the offseason, Pierce has allowed O'Connell to get the initial reps, but equaled out the opportunities with Minshew. Through the opening stages, neither has distanced themselves in camp.
"No, I don't think we could sit there and say somebody's won yet," Pierce said. "I think they've both had good moments. I'll go back. I think Gardner's had several days now where he's made some plays, but there's also some turnovers that show up that we don't want to have happen, as well. Again, when I look at Aidan, I see a guy that's throwing the ball accurate, I see some drops by our wide receivers. I don't think it's just on the quarterbacks. I think overall our offensive play has to pick up, sense of urgency, wide receivers, O-line, it's all those guys."
By all accounts, the Raiders offense has struggled regardless of who has been under center during camp.
"They're going against a very good defense," Pierce said. "I think they're feeling that. I think that's good for our team, the competition part. But obviously, somebody again has to just step up."
Minshew and O'Connell will each get an equal shot to take a lead in the competition Saturday against a different defense -- a Brian Flores-led Vikings defense.
