Gardner Minshew will remain the starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders when they face the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Coach Antonio Pierce made the decision on Wednesday after considering using recently signed Desmond Ridder instead.
“Gardner gives us the best chance to move forward, and he has every opportunity to go out there and help us get a win,” Pierce said.
Minshew has been completing a career-high 67% of his passes, but he has eight interceptions and only six touchdowns. He has also lost four fumbles, which ties him with Lamar Jackson of Baltimore and Jalen Hurts of Philadelphia for the most in the NFL.
When asked how to help Minshew feel more confident, Pierce said, “It starts with everybody around him. It starts with the staff. It starts with me. It starts with belief, letting him know, ‘Go out there and let it go. Let it loose.’
What do we have to lose at this point? We’re 2-7, so everything behind us is behind us. I’m looking forward to everything in front of us.”
Ridder replaced Minshew in the Raiders’ most recent game, completing 11 of 16 passes for 74 yards and a touchdown in Las Vegas’ 41-24 loss to Cincinnati on November 3. The Raiders had signed Ridder off Arizona’s practice squad on October 21 after Aidan O’Connell was placed on injured reserve with a broken thumb.
Minshew will head into the game against the Dolphins with new interim offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Scott Turner, interim offensive line coach Joe Philbin, and senior adviser Norv Turner.
