There are only a handful of teams in the NFL that seem to have a position battle at QB. Las Vegas is one of them. Aidan O’Connell is the incumbent being challenged by FA signing career backup, and definition of “replacement player”, Gardner Minshew. While Minshew definitely has the moustache1 in the QB room, O’Connell is the front-runner at the position of QB.

Before off-season activities began, HC Antonio Pierce stated that AOC had earned the opportunity to take first team snaps, which he has. Reports from camp were that O’Connell has progressed, his arm is strong and accurate, and he’s been making throws that have surprised the defense. Minshew on the other hand, has less power and accuracy in his arm. Looking at their stats from 2023, AOC also has a slight edge there. With their completion percentages basically identical, AOC had a higher TD rate and a lower INT rate, by way of the macro stats.

O’Connell finishing as a top 20 QB and being rosterable as a QB3 in superflex leagues is within the range of outcomes for 2024.