Pierce urges O’Connell, Minshew to unleash their full potential vox888

vox888 Gardner Minshew (left) is in fierce competition with Aidan O’Connell (right) for the Pirates’ starting quarterback job. vox888

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce is pushing both Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew to perform to their full potential as they compete for the starting quarterback spot in the Pirates’ training camp, NFL Network reports.

“What I saw was two players competing. I told them it was time to make a leap,” Pearce said. “Stop taking baby steps. Someone’s got the bull by the horns and they’re trying to do that. It’s very competitive.”

‘I think the key is no matter who’s in there, the offense is trying to be as efficient and effective as possible, so you’ve got the offense in there with them, and you’re trying to create that continuity with our wide receivers, and I think both quarterbacks are doing that.’

Pierce gave O’Connell a chance to start 10 games last year as a rookie. He received support from his coaches and teammates, but it will be up to the former fourth-round 2023 draft pick to see if he can show any improvement. 

While Minshew signed a two-year, $25 million deal with the Raiders this offseason from the Indianapolis Colts, a deal that veterans often get as a connector to young quarterbacks, the 28-year-old has shown he can control an offense just as well, but lacks consistency and has yet to prove he’s a better option than O’Connell. ( vox888 )