Raiders make change, name Aidan O’Connell starting QB

The Las Vegas Raiders named second-year player Aidan O'Connell their starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.O'Connell replaces Gardner Minshew, who started the first

Raiders make change, name Aidan O’Connell starting QB

The Las Vegas Raiders named second-year player Aidan O’Connell their starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

O’Connell replaces Gardner Minshew, who started the first five games. The Raiders (2-3) benched Minshew mid-game last week, calling on O’Connell in the 34-18 loss to the Denver Broncos.

“It was a quarterback battle early on. (Minshew) started five games, and at this point, I think it’s best to go with Aidan going forward,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said Wednesday.

Minshew tossed two interceptions against the Broncos — including a 100-yard pick-six — and has five on the season against four touchdown passes. He’s completing 70.1 percent of his passes for 1,014 yards.

O’Connell was 10-for-20 with 94 yards and an INT against the Broncos.

O’Connell, 26, started 10 games for the Raiders last season as a rookie, passing for 2,218 yards and 12 TDs against seven interceptions. He went 5-5. He threw for 9,219 yards and 65 TDs in four seasons at Purdue before the Raiders selected him in the fourth round of the 2023 draft.

Minshew, 28, signed a two-year contract worth $25 million — including $15 million guaranteed — with the Raiders in March. Pierce said Minshew handled the news “like a pro.”