Gardner Minshew will stay on as the starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders in their upcoming game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Coach Antonio Pierce announced the decision on Wednesday after considering the possibility of starting recently signed Desmond Ridder.
“Gardner gives us the best chance to move forward, and he has every opportunity to help us get a win,” Pierce stated.
Minshew is completing a career-high 67% of his passes, but turnovers have been an issue, with eight interceptions and six touchdowns, along with four lost fumbles—tying him with Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson and Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts for the most fumbles in the NFL.
When asked about ways to boost Minshew’s confidence, Pierce said, “It starts with everyone around him—the staff, myself. It’s about belief, letting him know to ‘go out there and let it go.’ At this point, we’re 2-7, so everything behind us is behind us. I’m focused on what lies ahead.”
For the game against the Dolphins, Minshew will have support from new interim offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Scott Turner, interim offensive line coach Joe Philbin, and senior adviser Norv Turner.
In the Raiders’ last game, Ridder replaced Minshew, completing 11 of 16 passes for 74 yards and a touchdown in their 41-24 loss to Cincinnati on November 3. Ridder was signed from Arizona’s practice squad on October 21 after Aidan O’Connell was placed on injured reserve with a broken thumb.