Raiders expected to stick with starting QB, but pressure’s on

Raiders coach Antonio Pierce hinted changes could be coming after Sunday’s blowout loss to the Panthers.

For now, it does not appear that will include the starting quarterback.

The Raiders are expected to stick with veteran Gardner Minshew rather than make the switch to second-year pro Aidan O’Connell, despite Pierce not committing to Minshew in his Monday news conference.

Minshew was benched for the team’s final possession in its 36-22 loss in its home opener to Carolina on Sunday. O’Connell took over and led the Raiders on a touchdown drive.

Pierce, when asked if the move to O’Connell could become permanent, didn’t shoot the idea down.

“I think I gotta get with the players and evaluate everything from yesterday first,” Pierce said.

The statement wasn’t a ringing endorsement of Minshew, who nudged out O’Connell for the starting job in training camp. But Minshew’s job appeared safe — for now — by late Monday.

Minshew hasn’t distinguished himself in three regular-season games so far. The Raiders’ offense is averaging 19.3 points per game, which ranked 18th in the NFL entering Monday. Minshew’s 92.4 passer rating ranked 16th.

Most of his best plays came in the second half of the Raiders’ 26-23 win against the Ravens on Sept. 15. He completed 16 of his 22 passes for 212 yards and a touchdown in the third and fourth quarters of the comeback. He has completed 57 of 77 passes for 535 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions in the Raiders’ other 10 quarters.

O’Connell connected on nine of 12 passes for 82 yards and a touchdown in his short stint Sunday. He was 5-5 as a starter as a rookie last season and entered training camp as the favorite to win the job again. But O’Connell struggled, which led to Minshew taking the lead.

Minshew, who signed a two-year, $25 million contract to join the Raiders in March, isn’t the only reason the team is off to a 1-2 start. His offensive line has struggled to open up holes in the running game and has been poor in pass protection as well.

Still, he has turned the ball over and missed a few open receivers. That means the pressure will be on Week 4 against Cleveland.

Raiders safety out for season

Starting safety Marcus Epps suffered a season-ending knee injury in Sunday’s defeat to the Panthers, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed Monday.

It’s a significant loss for the Raiders, who leaned heavily on Epps’ leadership at the back end of their defense.

Third-year safety Isaiah Pola-Mao stepped in for Epps on Sunday and will get the first crack at being the starter. The Raiders also have second-year safety Chris Smith II and rookie Thomas Harper on the roster. Rookie Trey Taylor, who is on injured reserve, is eligible to return after the team’s Week 4 game against the Browns.

Pola-Mao will replace Epps for now.

“We’re really comfortable with (Pola-Moa),” Pierce said. “He had a really good preseason. Stepped up yesterday, did a pretty good job filling in.”

Epps is in the last year of his contract and is expected to be ready to play in 2025.

The news leaves the Raiders down two starters on defense for the rest of the season. Defensive end Malcolm Koonce is out for the year with a knee injury and is expected to undergo surgery soon.

Pierce doubles down

Pierce questioned his team’s effort after Sunday’s loss, saying some players were making “business decisions” against the Panthers.

He didn’t back off those comments Monday.

“I don’t bite my tongue,” Pierce said.

Pierce was scheduled to speak to the team Monday. He said the theme of his talk would be about correcting mistakes.

“(It’ll be) very direct,” Pierce said. “Because it is what it is. And that’s what we’re gonna do, call a spade a spade.”

Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X.