After Sunday’s embarrassing loss to the Carolina Panthers, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce signaled he would make changes. Will he start with a switch at quarterback?
During the 36-22 loss to the Panthers (1-2), Raiders second-year QB Aidan O’Connell replaced starter Gardner Minshew in the fourth quarter.
On Monday, Pierce said he was looking for “a spark” and didn’t rule out a QB change, via The Athletic’s Vic Tafur.
It would be surprising if the Raiders (1-2) benched Minshew in favor of O’Connell, considering QB doesn’t seem like their biggest problem.
Against Carolina, Minshew completed 18-of-28 passes for 214 yards, one TD and one interception. O’Connell, meanwhile, went 9-of-12 passing for 82 yards and one TD. Minshew also ranks sixth in the league in passing yards (747) through three starts.
The Raiders ground attack (or lack thereof) could be holding the offense back. Vegas ranks last in the league in rushing yards (51 YPG), and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy’s play-calling may be exacerbating its problems.
“Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy called a terrible game,” The Athletic’s Tashan Reed wrote Sunday. “In the first half, he was determined to establish the run after it became clear the Raiders didn’t have the personnel to do so. Neither Zamir White nor Alexander Mattison could get anything going on the ground as the Raiders averaged just 3.4 yards per carry and were limited to 55 rushing yards.”
Perhaps Pierce wants to see if giving the keys to O’Connell will help him get more out of star WR Davante Adams. He recorded season lows in receptions (four) and receiving yards (40) in the loss to Carolina.
Even so, O’Connell probably won’t jump-start Adams or the Raiders offense. In 10 starts during his rookie season, the former fourth-round pick out of Purdue went 5-5, throwing 12 TDs and seven interceptions.
Pierce may want to send a message to the team by sitting Minshew, but it’s unclear if a shake-up at the most important position will fix Vegas’ issues.
