Gardner Minshew II

Gardner Minshew completed 25-of-33 passes for 257 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the Raiders’ 22-10, Week 1 loss to the Chargers, adding five yards on three carries and losing a fumble.

Minshew reportedly won the camp battle for the starting quarterback position due to head coach Antonio Pierce’s confidence in his ball security, something the two turnovers and four sacks taken could work to prompt the coach to revisit moving forward. The Raiders seemed to be in control of the game after taking a 7-6 lead into half time but managed just an additional field goal the rest of the way. Minshew largely spread the ball around as he danced away from pressure throughout the game, targeting first-round rookie tight end the most with eight targets. His pocket presence looked spotty at times as did his progressions, even though the offensive scheme appeared to be generating one-on-one matchups all over the field. There might be a continuation of the offseason starting quarterback discussion brewing in Las Vegas. A week 2 matchup against the Ravens is not exactly the get-right spot Minshew needs to maintain control of the starting quarterback position.