Paul Gutierrez, ESPN Staff Writer
HENDERSON, Nev. — Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce acknowledged he was nonetheless “evaluating” the quarterback position a day after benching Gardner Minshew in favor of Aidan O'Connell late in the third quarter of his staff's 34-18 loss at the Denver Broncos.
He additionally stated the Davante Adams state of affairs remained “status quo.” Asked when he thought issues went sideways with the three-time All-Pro receiver, who has requested a commerce, Pierce was sullen.
“I don't know,” he stated. “I think you've got to ask Davante that.”
Adams has been gone from the Raiders for greater than per week, purportedly rehabbing a hamstring harm while commerce talks have swirled.
And the guys who've thrown passes to Adams this season — Minshew and O'Connell — remained in a holding sample in phrases of who will begin Sunday at dwelling towards the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Minshew, who signed a two-year free agent contract with the Raiders with $15 million assured, gained an in depth coaching camp battle however has been inconsistent in 5 begins, finishing 70.7% of his passes for 1,014 yards and 4 touchdowns, however with 5 interceptions.
His 100-yard pick-six in the second quarter to Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II broke the momentum for the Raiders, who have been poised to go up 17-3. Instead, Las Vegas trailed 13-10 at the half and finally misplaced by two scores.
“That was very deflating,” Pierce stated of the pick-six. “I think everybody understood and saw that. But he went back out there, and I thought there were some opportunities for us to make plays and at that point we just didn't. Offensively, we kind of hit the mud.
“It's all about the soccer. You've obtained to guard the soccer. The best option to lose the recreation is turnovers.”
Minshew, who completed his first nine passes with a 57-yard touchdown to rookie tight end Brock Bowers in Denver but finished 12-of-17, later threw another interception and O'Connell was picked off as well.
“I believed we obtained off to a superb begin after which I killed our momentum with the pick-six,” Minshew said after the game. “I did not do a adequate job giving us a shot to be aggressive in the recreation. That's on me.”
O'Connell, meanwhile, was 10-of-20 for 94 yards.
“We have a gaggle of guys that need to look in the mirror, need to maintain one another accountable, maintain themselves accountable and attempt to get higher,” O'Connell said. “And that is what we will do.”
Pierce moving to O'Connell would not be a first, as he installed the then-rookie last season upon being elevated to interim coach Nov. 1. O'Connell finished the season with a flourish: eight touchdowns and no interceptions in the team's final four games.
“We know what we will get with Aidan, proper?” Pierce said. “That again foot hits the floor, ball comes out, he is a cerebral participant, is aware of the place the ball must go.
“I've seen enough of Aidan last year, the spring, to know what to expect from Aidan.”
