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Paul Gutierrez, ESPN Staff Writer
HENDERSON, Nev. — The Las Vegas Raiders agree to a two-year, $25 million free agent contract with veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew and second-year quarterback Aidan O'Connell with $15 million guaranteed. Officials confirmed that. ESPN.
The addition of Minshew appears to take the Raiders out of talks to acquire quarterback Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears, but it also removes them from being a candidate to trade up from No. 13 in the draft to select one of their promising quarterbacks. Do not mean. Coach Antonio Pierce has been outspoken about his desire to land a franchise QB, but “you don't want to put a Band-Aid on that position,” Pierce said at the NFL Scouting Combine, but he's not a big fan of LSU. Rumor has it that she is in a relationship with Jaden Daniels. He was first recruited by Arizona State University.
Some rifts between Minshew and Raiders Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby may also need to be resolved. Maxx Crosby called the QB a “shithole” after Minshew didn't hold Crosby's hand during the Indianapolis Colts game on New Year's Eve. Help him out after the play, Crosby said.
Minshew was a great addition to a one-year deal worth less than $3 million for Indianapolis, starting 13 games in place of injured starter Anthony Richardson and rushing for 15 touchdowns and a career-high 3,305 yards. .
His performance helped the Colts advance to the final stages of the playoffs, but he ultimately fell short, earning him an additional $2 million in bonuses for playing in 60% of the team's offense. did it.
Minshew, 27, also became the first AFC alternate to become a Pro Bowler.
The confidence Minshew brought as a backup was a key factor for the Colts, who rallied around him and improved by five wins over the previous season. Coach Shane Steichen said Minshew's intelligence was critical to his success, allowing him to make good pre-snap decisions that increase the chances of a successful play.
Minshew's next step was always uncertain, but it was no secret that he was looking for opportunities with more potential playing time. Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 draft after losing the competition for his spot last summer, is expected to return to starting duties this fall after undergoing shoulder surgery.
Minshew started 37 games in five seasons, including 20 starts with the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2019-2020 season, throwing for 9,937 yards, 59 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions.
News of Minshew's contract was first reported by NFL Network.
ESPN's Stephen Holder contributed to this report.
