Raiders can’t have quarterback drama every week

Intrigue at the position isn’t helping anyone

For several hours, on the day after a bitterly disappointing home loss to the Carolina Panthers, Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce created some drama surrounding the quarterback position.

Monday, Pierce was asked if Gardner Minshew was still the starting quarterback for the 1-2 Raiders, Pierce said “I think we’ve got to get with the players and just evaluate everything from yesterday first.”

Later that afternoon, NFL Media reported that Minshew would remain the starter for Sunday’s home game against the Cleveland Browns and second-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell, who played in garbage time in the loss to Carolina, will remain the backup.

The decision to stick with Minshew wasn’t surprising. He hasn’t been awful this season (he hasn’t been great, either) and he wasn’t the primary reason why the Raiders were blown out by the Panthers, who came into the game being outscored by a total of 73-13 in the first two weeks. He completed 18 of 28 passes for 214 yards with a touchdown pass and an interception. O’Connell entered the game completed nine of 12 passes for 82 yards with a touchdown. Pierce said O’Connell was put in to see if he could give the team “a spark.”

Still, it seemed to me that Pierce was just being vague and frustrated in his comments Monday. Look, he’s an inexperienced head coach and he needs seasonings in all areas. So, he could have handled the situation better Monday while addressing the question.

The fast decisions to stick with Minshew is an indication that Pierce and his coaching staff didn’t seriously consider making the switch. Although, there is no doubt that the idea of going back to O’Connell, who went 5-5 as the starter as a rookie last year, did cross Pierce’s mind.

The fact that the Raiders are staying with Minshew was popular amongst his teammates. Both star wide receiver Davante Adams and star defensive end Maxx Crosby (who have major voices in the organization) publicly stood by Minshew on Tuesday.

Players want continuity and they deserve it.

Like Adams said, a change like this shouldn’t happen three games after a player like Minshew won a quarterback battle. Plus, making a decision based on garbage-time performances wouldn’t be wise, either.

Decisions like this can’t be made in haste.

So, situations like Monday shouldn’t happen. There shouldn’t a lack of clarity about Minshew’s job security after every loss, especially if he isn’t the primary reason for the loss. It wouldn’t be good for him or for the rest of the locker room.

The team needs to know the coaching staff believes in the person playing the most important position on the field. So, unless Minshew shows that he does need to be replaced, this shouldn’t be a possibility.

It’s an unnecessary distraction for a team that needs to be laser focused on getting it’s season on track.