It happened within the course of a few minutes. The Las Vegas Raiders beat writers began reporting that the Raiders were in talks to trade for Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields. Among the Twitter chatter, the news dropped that the Raiders had signed Gardner Minshew.

Minshew signs a two-year deal for a reported $24 million. He will compete with Aidan O’Connell. For what position on the depth chart they will compete is unclear. Trading for Fields still remains a possibility. O’Connell appeared in 11 games for the Raiders in 2023 after being drafted in the 4th round. He took over as the starter after the firing of Josh McDaniels and led the team to a winning record. Minshew also began 2023 in a backup role in 2023 and became the Colts’ QB1.

The Raiders trading for Justin Fields would reunite him with former Bears OC Luke Getsy in a move that some speculate wouldn’t be great. Fields has been a leading rusher at the position, but struggles in the passing game. The Raiders could also make a trade up from the 13th pick to take a QB in the draft. Jayden Daniels and JJ McCarthy seem to be the most likely. With a QB room of Fields or a draft pick and Minshew/O’Connell, the Raiders would be in a position of a lot of flexibility should the starter get hurt or a draft pick need time.