Gardner Minshew could not lead the Las Vegas Raiders to victory in his first start with organization. He statistically out-played Justin Herbert during a 12-point loss to the Los Angeles Chargers but not everybody was impressed with his performance.
A group of local reporters bashed the 28-year-old prior to his press conference on Wednesday and unknowingly declared their thoughts to the world on a hot mic.
Minshew signed with Las Vegas during the offseason. Head coach Antonio Pierce named him as the starter over Aidan O’Connell after the second game of the preseason.
Although he finished with 25 completions on 33 attempts for 257 yards, Gardner Minshew threw only one touchdown with one interception in defeat on Sunday. One particular moment in the first half was perhaps the biggest lowlight of his career. It was a horrendous backwards throw to nobody that almost went for six in the other direction.
Derek Carr threw 3 touchdowns today. Gardner Minshew threw a fumble. Every decision the Raiders make happens to be the wrong one. It's impressive, really. pic.twitter.com/3PklXX9nqz
— Milk Chamberlain (@nick_black) September 9, 2024
The Raiders will travel to Baltimore in Week 2. Minshew is still QB1 and he actually beat the Ravens while starting for the Colts last year.
At least two reporters who cover the team do not have much faith that the former sixth-round pick can do it again. Their conversation went live on YouTube prior to Wednesday’s media availability after practice. They did not know they could be heard on the audio feed.
The first voice offered a grim outlook for the weekend.
Unless Gardner really kicks a–, I think he’s going to get his a– kicked by Baltimore.
— Reporter No. 1
A second voice chimed in to question the organization’s decision to let Derek Carr walk two years ago. He also made his opinion very clear about Minshew.
Not a fan [of Minshew]. Not a fan. But I just want them to win, so I guess if he can help them win…
Did you see what Derek Carr did the other day?
— Reporter No. 2
Both voices continued on to further discredit Las Vegas’ starting quarterback. They noted multiple overthrows and described his fairly inconsistent performance as “terrible.”
Per @TheJoeMorley_ IG page pic.twitter.com/8qIWS0VMps
— Q (@RaidersAQ) September 11, 2024
Awkward…
As of this writing, neither reporter has been identified. It could be anybody— including a team staffer, for all we know. Whomever they were/are, they will not soon make that mistake again!