Raiders' starting QB still in air as Pierce says he'll 'sleep on it' - ESPN
LAS VEGAS — Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said the team's decision-makers will «sleep on it and make a decision in the next couple of days» on whom Las Vegas' starting quarterback will be for the season opener — Gardner Minshew or Aidan O'Connell.
Both quarterbacks played five series apiece in a 27-12 preseason loss to the Dallas Cowboys, who played only two starters Saturday night at Allegiant Stadium.
Minshew started for the Raiders and was scattershot in completing just 10 of 21 passes for 95 yards, though he did have a pretty 48-yard deep ball to receiver Tre Tucker.
And while O'Connell was more efficient, going 14-of-20 for 96 yards with a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Harrison Bryant, he also threw an ugly 69-yard pick-six to Cowboys cornerback Kemon Hall on his final snap of the game, the first play of the fourth quarter.
«It sucks,» O'Connell said. «It sucks to throw interceptions in general, but to be the last play is definitely tough. That one will linger, but it's football. You're going to learn from it, move on, and I'm not going to make that mistake again.»
O'Connell had been cruising until the interception. And Pierce, who will consult with general manager Tom Telesco and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, said «everything» will be evaluated, adding that you «can't take the good without the bad» in rendering a decision.
«I'm going to go all the way back to OTAs, minicamp, training camp, two preseason games,» Pierce said. «And there's going to be a lot of factors, obviously, right? Command of the offense, the operational part, efficiency. The turnovers is huge — that shows up — taking care of the football's going to be important for our team.
»And then… sitting there with Telesco and Luke over the next