When the Las Vegas Raiders named Gardner Minshew as their Week 1 starter, expectations were low, but nobody anticipated how poorly he would perform. Minshew finished with a 2-7 record, throwing nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions before an injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Known for excelling as a backup, Minshew is unlikely to be considered for a starting role next season.
In fact, the Raiders may choose to cut him altogether. According to Bleacher Report’s Scouting Department, Minshew is the top candidate for release as Las Vegas retools their roster. The team’s recent decision to part ways with general manager Tom Telesco only adds to the uncertainty regarding the team’s future direction. However, it’s likely that the new leadership will not see Minshew as part of their long-term plans.
“Minshew posted a disappointing 2-7 record this season with more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (9), resulting in a low 38.3 QBR,” Bleacher Report noted in a Jan. 20 article. “With the Raiders needing to reset at quarterback, cutting Minshew would save $6.3 million in cap space, allowing them to pursue a new direction.”
Could a New Head Coach Want to Keep Gardner Minshew?
While Minshew’s signing was a misstep by former general manager Tom Telesco, his tenure with the Raiders may not be over yet. Despite a lackluster 2024 campaign, Minshew has shown promise in previous seasons and still holds value as a backup quarterback. Given that the Raiders have no clear starter for 2025, retaining Minshew as a reliable backup could be an option, depending on who the team hires as its new general manager and head coach.
Ultimately, Minshew’s future with the Raiders will depend on the new leadership’s assessment of his potential. If the right coach and GM see value in him as a depth option, he could stay on the roster. However, with a new regime in place, the team is likely to explore all options to address the quarterback position.
How the Raiders Plan to Address the QB Position in the Offseason
Whether Minshew stays or goes, the Raiders face a pivotal offseason regarding their quarterback situation. Aidan O’Connell has shown glimpses of potential but is already 26 and has limited upside after two seasons. The best move for the Raiders would be to target a quarterback in the upcoming draft, but it remains unclear if a top prospect will be available when they pick at No. 6 in the first round.
The free-agent market isn’t promising, either, with Sam Darnold expected to demand a hefty price, Russell Wilson struggling in recent years, and Justin Fields being more of a mobile quarterback than a pure passer. It’s possible that the Raiders may delay addressing the quarterback issue until the following year, given the team’s broader needs and a potentially stronger draft class of quarterbacks. Building a more complete roster this offseason might set the team up for better success in the future.
