Raiders’ 2024 Offseason Program Dates Disclosed….

Aidan O’Connell, Gardner Minshew, and speculation about a rookie signal caller are gobbling up the attention and headlines when it comes to the Las Vegas Raiders quarterback position. And for good reason.

O’Connell is the incumbent as a fourth-round pick from the 2023 NFL Draft and has the belief of head coach Antonio Pierce. Minshew is the new free agent addition inking a two-year $25-million contract ($15 million guaranteed with a $6 million signing bonus) who comes from the Indianapolis Colts. And of course the rampant rumor mill on the Raiders eyeing and potentially drafting a prospect in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.

The forgotten name: Anthony Brown Jr.

Not familiar with Brown? It’s easy to forget about the former University of Oregon quarterback.

The 25-year-old signed a reserve/futures contract with Las Vegas amongst a slew of other players shortly after the 2023 campaign ended on Jan. 8. Brown’s NFL career has predominantly been as a practice squad player for the Baltimore Ravens. He signed with the team after going undrafted in 2022 and yo-yoed from active to taxi squad before getting released in September of 2023. Brown only has one career start under his name (two career games played): A Week 16 contest where the Ravens lost to the Cincinnati Bengals 27-16. Brown went 19 of 44 (43.18 percent) for 286 yards with zero touchdowns, two interceptions, while absorbing four sacks. The other action he saw that season was going 3 for 5 (60 percent) for 16 yards in a brief Week 12 appearance in the Ravens’ 16-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pierce was asked specifically about the quarterback during the AFC coaches’ breakfast at the league owners meeting in Orlando on Monday. And the Raiders head coach even corrected an earlier comment when he noted there’s two quarterbacks in the room competing. (See, even Pierce forgot, so don’t feel bad).

Brown remains an overall enigma at the pro level. His collegiate career spanned from Boston College (2017-2019) and Oregon (2020-2021) with his best statistical season coming in 2021 with the Ducks. He started 14 games going 250 of 390 (64.1 percent) for 2,989 yards with 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions passing and 151 carries for 658 yards (4.4 yards per carry average) and nine touchdowns rushing. The runner/scrambler aspect didn’t quite show up in Brown’s two appearances for Baltimore (only three attempts for negative five yards).

However, Pierce did speak highly of Brown’s workout with the Raiders before signing a contract and noted the 6-foot-1 and 228-pound quarterback offers the athleticism for a dual-threat type signal caller. In fact, a running quarterback is the type Pierce hated facing during his own play career as a linebacker.

Interestingly enough, Brown clocked in an unofficial 4.71 second 40-yard dash time at Oregon’s Pro Day. Meanwhile, O’Connell ran the 40 in 4.70 seconds at Purdue’s Pro Day — also unofficial. Make of that what you will. Minshew timed 4.97 in the 40 when he ran it at the 2019 NFL Combine.

It’s going to be a steep uphill climb for Brown to make a go of it to be on the Raiders’ 53-man roster, but it appears he’ll get a shot to compete. He’ll need to showcase arm accuracy and strength, athleticism, poise, and leadership when given opportunities and snaps to do so. Basically maximize any and all opportunities given to him. Also the ability to intake and retain the new offense Luke Getsy is installing the desert. If Las Vegas adds a prospect in the draft (or after as an undrafted free agent), the climb gets more arduous. So practice squad or camp fodder may be Brown’s overall Raider experience.

“And again, if it’s a rookie, if it’s Aidan, if it’s Minshew, Brown, we’re going to put the best player out there that gives us a chance to win,” Pierce noted.

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Raiders News: Antonio Pierce Calls New QB Gardner Minshew II ‘A Wild Boy’

As NFL free agency began, the Las Vegas Raiders’ only quarterback on the roster was second-year man Aidan O’Connell. But the franchise quickly corrected that by signing veteran Gardner Minshew II to a two-year deal.

Regardless of who is brought in, however, head coach Pierce has made it clear that O’Connell has earned the right to compete for the starting spot due to his promising play when taking over as starter last year. Pierce is also a fan of what Minshew brings.

In a recent interview, Pierce called Minshew a ‘wild boy’ while noting that the veteran has proven that he can get things done regardless of the circumstances, via Matthew Schmidt of Yardbarker:

Minshew and his hard work undoubtedly fit the kind of culture Pierce is looking to build within the Raiders organization and, as Pierce pointed out. Additionally, a healthy competition is almost always a good thing and will give the team and staff more time to evaluate what each player brings to the table.

Last season with the Indianapolis Colts, Minshew had his longest run as the top guy, ultimately starting 13 games, posting a winning record, and throwing for 3,305 yards and 15 touchdowns. Minshew, O’Connell, and whoever the Raiders bring in through the draft will have a serious competition to decide who will be under center on opening night.

One thing that everyone seems to be on the same page about is the fact that the Raiders aren’t looking for a temporary stopgap at quarterback but rather want to find the player who will lead the team for years to come.

Head coach Antonio Pierce re-iterated this statement in a recent interview, noting that he hopes whoever the team drafts becomes the full-time starter while adding that he doesn’t want to put a band-aid on that position. Pierce believes the fans have seen that enough times already and now it is time for the Raiders to find their guy and stick with him through his development.