A day after a crushing home loss to the Carolina Panthers, it appears roster moves are on the table on both sides of the ball for the Las Vegas Raiders, including at quarterback.
Head Coach Antonio Pierce deplored on Sunday what he described as “business decisions” taken by players on the field and promising “business decisions” on the part of the technical staff.
He was asked to expand on these comments his press conference on MondayHe declined to name names, but criticized “the entire defensive effort.” in the 36-22 defeat.
He was then asked if starting quarterback Gardner Minshew was “still the guy.” Here’s his response:
“I think we need to get together with the players first and evaluate everything that happened yesterday,” Pierce said.
That was the final question and answer of his press conference. Pierce didn’t criticize Minshew’s play and said earlier that the offense needs to do “a better job on first downs and make it easier for him on third downs.”
But when given the chance, Pierce declined to confirm that Minshew would be the starter going forward, opening the door for more unrest in Las Vegas a day after one of the NFL’s worst losses of the season.
Is Minshew’s Job Really in Danger?
Minshew completed 18 of 28 passes against Carolina for 214 yards with a touchdown and an interception. With the Raiders trailing 36-15 and the game out of reach late in the fourth quarter, Pierce replaced Minshew with backup and 2023 starter Aidan O’Connell. Minshew’s final pass was an interception early in the fourth quarter with the Raiders trailing by 18 points.
O’Connell led the Raiders on a 13-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Tre Tucker. He completed 9 of 12 passes for 82 yards and the score.
When asked what he saw from Hutchinson and whether it “made him hesitant to move forward,” Pierce said:
“Look at the way the game went: We’re down by about two points,” Pierce said. “Let Aidan come in and see what he can do with the offense, get it moving. We’re just trying to find a spark.”
About these “business decisions”
As for the promised “business decisions,” Pierce told reporters he was not biting his tongue and that he and his team had not yet made those decisions.
“We didn’t do that,” Pierce said. “You have to go to the players first.”
What might these business decisions look like?
“Anything that helps the Raiders win,” Pierce continued. “That performance isn’t going to help any team win. Least of all the Raiders.”
The Raiders are now 1-2 with Sunday’s ugly loss after the summit an upset against the Ravens in Baltimore in week 2 with Minshew at quarterback. The wheels of the season threaten to fall off ahead of a series of games against the Browns, Broncos, Steelers, Rams, Chiefs and Bengals.
Pierce was asked Monday what he could do better after Sunday’s loss.
“We talked about it,” Pierce said. “We understood there could be a misstep in a game like this, where you have a high against the Ravens and you’re playing a team that everybody expects you to beat. …
“Looking back, I think all of us, myself and the staff, did.”
He then paused for a long time.
“It has to be better.”
