NFL Betting: Who Will Be the Raiders' Week 1 Starting Quarterback?

The Las Vegas Raiders are looking to build momentum after a strong finish to 2023.

Notably, Raider Nation's defense provided some pretty impressive figures by season's end. From there, the franchise has elected to go with the defensive-minded Antonio Pierce as head coach. Still, how solid is Las Vegas on offense, and more specifically, at quarterback?

For the 2024 campaign, FanDuel Sportsbook is offering myriad NFL betting markets. Of those futures, the "Starting QB" tab features several position battles at the signal-caller spot. When it pertains to the Raiders, the Week 1 starter will almost certainly be either Gardner Minshew or Aidan O'Connell.

Raider Nation will migrate to Costa Mesa, CA for this year's training camp. With the quarterbacking competition yet to unfold, let's survey both Minshew's and O'Connell's case to get the keys to the car.

Keep in mind, which ever player wins the QB1 job will have the benefit of playing behind a solid offensive line with quality weapons in Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, Zamir White and rookie Brock Bowers.

All NFL odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

Las Vegas Raiders Week 1 Starting QB

*Void if Neither Quarterback Starts Week 1.

Gardner Minshew (-225)

The affable Gardner Minshew is entering his sixth NFL season. Throughout that span, he is joining his fourth different franchise.

Simply, Minshew has earned "journeyman quarterback" status, but his lifetime QB-INT ratio is better than 2-to-1. From there, he's thrown for more than 3,000 yards both years wherein he started at least nine games.

Last season, Minshew fared relatively well in relief work for the Indianapolis Colts. He compiled a 62.2% completion while winning seven of 13 starts. Still, Pro Football Focus gave Minshew his best grade (70.5) as a rookie in 2019.

Minshew Mania was recently brought to Sin City on a two-year, $25 million contract. As it is now, FanDuel lists the former Washington State Cougars star as the odds-on favorite (-225) to start at quarterback for the Raiders in Week 1 at the rival Los Angeles Chargers (Sep. 8).

Aidan O'Connell (+172)

On the longer side of this market, Aidan O'Connell is back with a new number -- moving from jersey No. 4 to No. 12 -- for the Raiders. He's in his sophomore campaign with Las Vegas after being selected on Day 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Following a four-year career for the Purdue Boilermakers, O'Connell wound up starting 10 NFL games as a rookie. For the Raiders, he earned a 65.9 PFF grade in 2023, which was actually higher than Minshew at 62.0. Additionally, AOC stands at 6-foot-3 -- approximately two inches above his older position mate.

O'Connell is currently labeled with +172 odds to be the Raiders' starting quarterback in the 2024 regular-season opener versus LAC. Last year, his 213 completions (62.1%) led Las Vegas by a wide margin. Still, it was actually Jimmy Garoppolo who was the Week 1 starter in 2023. As it is now, Jimmy G is back in the NFC.

As the younger player, there could be some value here on O'Connell. Sure, his +172 odds at FanDuel carry a 36.8% implied probability, but strange things happen in the heat of competition. Also, the Raiders did not take a quarterback at the 2024 NFL Draft, but they did select the All-American Bowers and two offensive linemen with their first three picks.

Simply, if there's a guy that the team wants to know more about for the long-term future, it is AOC.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.