Regarding the quarterback situation for the Las Vegas Raiders, Aidan O’Connell, Gardner Minshew, and conjecture regarding a rookie signal caller are grabbing the most of the focus and making headlines. And with good cause.
O’Connell, the current starter, was selected in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft and has the support of head coach Antonio Pierce. The Indianapolis Colts’ new free agent addition, Minshew, inked a two-year, $25 million contract ($15 million guaranteed with a $6 million signing bonus). Not to mention the endless rumors that the Raiders are watching a talent in the forthcoming 2024 NFL Draft and may select him.
Unacquainted with Brown? It’s simple to overlook the former quarterback for the University of Oregon.
Shortly after the 2023 season concluded on January 8, the 25-year-old, along with many other players, signed a reserve/futures deal with Las Vegas. For the most part of his NFL career, Brown has been a member of the Baltimore Ravens practice squad. After going undrafted in 2022, he signed with the organization. He would alternate between the active and taxi squads until being released in September of 2023. Brown has only made one career start (two games played) in the Ravens’ Week 16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, 27-16. Brown completed 19 of 44 passes (43.18 percent) for 286 yards, absorbing four sacks and throwing two interceptions but no scores. The other
Who will be the quarterback for the Raiders in 2024?
At Monday’s league owners meeting in Orlando, during the AFC coaches’ breakfast, Pierce was particularly questioned about the quarterback. Additionally, after mentioning that there are two quarterbacks in the room battling, the Raiders head coach took back a previous statement. (See, don’t feel guilty, even Pierce forgot).
To start with, he has performed admirably in his games and starts in this league. Extremely athletic, in fact, I recall that Champ (Kelly) and I brought him in at the close of the previous season, and he performed admirably in a workout,” Pierce remarked. “Competitor, I misspoke when I claimed there were two people in the room; there’s actually three. It’s another person. However, he has a distinct personality; he is nimble, athletic, and has excellent poise.
Brown remains an overall enigma at the pro level. His collegiate career spanned from Boston College (2017-2019) and Oregon (2020-2021) with his best statistical season coming in 2021 with the Ducks. He started 14 games going 250 of 390 (64.1 percent) for 2,989 yards with 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions passing and 151 carries for 658 yards (4.4 yards per carry average) and nine touchdowns rushing. The runner/scrambler aspect didn’t quite show up in Brown’s two appearances for Baltimore (only three attempts for negative five yards).
Though Brown is 6-foot-1 and 228 pounds, Pierce did mention how well the quarterback worked out with the Raiders prior to signing a deal and that Brown has the athleticism of a dual-threat type signal caller. Actually, during his playing career as a linebacker, Pierce detested facing running quarterbacks.
Michael Vick is a runner, dang it. It’s 11-on-11, so Vick, (Donovan) McNabb, and all those players are in it,” Pierce remarked. “I admire the Tom Bradys and Peyton Mannings of the world; even after you set down your marker, they remain in place.” But should I exit the coverage when that marker moves and I’m inside it? Should I remain in zone coverage with my guy? Should I turn around, call it a plaster, and locate the closest receiver?
“Those guys—the ones who travel around—are usually tough, man. Just a pain in the neck, isn’t Patrick Mahomes, as he increases the play’s duration from 2.2 seconds to 2.6, 2.7, and occasionally three and four. That is never a strong defense.
Remarkably, Brown ran an unofficial 40-yard sprint in 4.71 seconds at Oregon’s Pro Day. O’Connell, in the meantime, set an unofficial record at Purdue’s Pro Day, finishing the 40 in 4.70 seconds. Whatever you want to make of it. At the 2019 NFL Combine, Minshew ran the 40 in 4.97 seconds.
Although it will be difficult for Brown to break into the Raiders’ 53-man roster, it looks like he will have an opportunity to play. When given the chance and moment, he must demonstrate his arm strength and accuracy, athleticism, poise, and leadership. Basically, take advantage of every chance that is presented to him. Additionally, Luke Getsy is building the desert with the ability to absorb and hold onto the new offense. The ascent becomes more difficult if Las Vegas adds a prospect in the draft (or later as an undrafted free agent). So Brown’s Raider experience may be limited to camp fodder or the practice squad.
And once more, whether it’s Brown, Aidan, Minshew, or a rookie, we’re going to