The Las Vegas Raiders’ already turbulent 2024 season took another devastating hit on Sunday as starting quarterback Gardner Minshew suffered a season-ending broken collarbone in a 29-19 loss to the Denver Broncos. The injury, which occurred on a fourth-quarter sack by Broncos linebacker Cody Barton, leaves the struggling Raiders with limited options under center as they navigate the final stretch of a dismal campaign.
Minshew’s Disappointing Tenure Cut Short
Signed to a two-year, $25 million contract in March, Minshew won a close training camp battle with Aidan O’Connell to secure the starting job. However, the veteran signal-caller struggled to find his footing, completing 66.3% of his passes for 2,013 yards, 9 touchdowns, and a career-high 10 interceptions in 10 games (nine starts). Minshew’s total QBR of 39.1 entering Sunday’s contest was also a career low.
The low point of Minshew’s tenure came in Week 6 when he threw a 100-yard pick-six against the Broncos, leading to his benching in favor of O’Connell. Since that game, the Raiders have been outscored by a combined 214-118 and are now tied for the worst record in the NFL at 2-9.
Raiders’ QB Conundrum
With Minshew sidelined, the Raiders are left with limited options at quarterback. Desmond Ridder, signed off the Arizona Cardinals practice squad on Oct. 22, and Aidan O’Connell, who is eligible to return from injured reserve after suffering a broken thumb on his throwing hand, are the team’s only remaining quarterbacks on the active roster. Practice squad QB Carter Bradley rounds out the depth chart.
We’re going to need somebody, right? We’re running out of quarterbacks, too, now, so we’ll see what happens [Monday]. But obviously, it looks like [O’Connell is] getting better. He threw a little bit in practice this week.
– Raiders coach Antonio Pierce
The Raiders face a quick turnaround with a matchup against the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on Friday. Coach Antonio Pierce acknowledged the urgency of the situation, stating, “Obviously, we’ve got a short week — play on Friday, travel on Thursday — so we have to make that decision very quickly.”
Ridder Ready for the Challenge
Desmond Ridder, who completed 5 of 10 passes for 64 yards and lost a fumble on a sack in his first series against the Broncos, expressed confidence in his ability to lead the team if called upon. “I’ve been here almost a month and how I feel comfortable with the offense, I’m ready to go,” Ridder said. “So whatever that situation may be, it’s not up to me — it’s up to the higher power. But I’m ready for any situation there may be.”
A Season to Forget
The Raiders’ 2024 season has been one to forget, with the team struggling to find consistency on both sides of the ball. The loss of Minshew is another blow to a franchise that had high hopes entering the year. As the team prepares for the final five games of the season, they’ll need to rely on their young, inexperienced quarterbacks to provide a spark and salvage some pride in an otherwise lost campaign.
With the Raiders tied for the worst record in the league, the focus will soon shift to the offseason and the 2025 NFL Draft. The silver lining for the struggling franchise is the potential to secure a top pick and address their glaring needs, particularly at the quarterback position. As the Minshew era comes to a premature end, the Raiders must begin to plan for a future that will likely involve significant changes both on and off the field.
