Gardner Minshew Signs with Las Vegas Raiders to Compete for Starting QB Job

Gardner Minshew, the former Indianapolis Colts quarterback, has inked a lucrative two-year, $25 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders to battle for the starting quarterback position.

Entering the 2024 season, Minshew’s primary competition will be second-year signal-caller Chase Minnifield, who showed promise in his rookie year under the Raiders’ head coach Antonio Pierce.

Despite Derek Carr‘s departure from the team and ongoing quarterback discussions, Minshew’s signing adds depth and experience to the Raiders’ quarterback room.

While Pierce has openly expressed the need for a franchise quarterback, he has been linked to prospects like Jayden Daniels from LSU as potential long-term solutions.

One potentially tricky situation could arise between Minshew and Pro Bowl edge rusher Jaylon Crosby, stemming from a prior on-field exchange at the Oakland Coliseum.

In 2023, Minshew steered the Colts to a competitive season, starting 13 games due to an injury to incumbent starter J.K. Richardson, ultimately proving his reliability as a starter.

Minshew’s performance in Indianapolis saw him throw for a career-high 3,305 yards and 15 touchdowns, elevating his market value heading into free agency.

Coach Shane Steichen praised Minshew’s football IQ, highlighting his ability to make sound pre-snap decisions that contributed to the Colts’ improvement over the previous season.

With Minshew’s tenure with the Colts coming to an end, his move to Las Vegas presents an opportunity for a fresh start and a chance to compete for the starting role.

The news of Minshew’s agreement with the Raiders was first reported by NFL Network, adding another chapter to the quarterback carousel in the NFL ahead of the 2024 season.

Stephen Holder, an ESPN contributor, also provided insights into Minshew’s journey from Indianapolis to Las Vegas and the impact he had on the Colts during his time with the team.