The Raiders didn't sign a 'backup quarterback' in Gardner Minshew
If you were to ask an honest Raiders fan, they would tell you the quarterback position is far from a finished product. Aidan O'Connell isn't exactly a franchise quarterback, although he showed some good things in spurts last year, as a rookie.
When the team signed Gardner Minshew in free agency, that really started to beg the question as to whether Las Vegas was going to target a top quarterback in the draft. Ultimately, they did not, and will see a competition unfold between the two quarterbacks.
My money is on Minshew to win the job, and Chiefs fans shouldn't feel overly confident in his being "just a backup." Don't forget, last year, Minshew took over in Indy for an injured Anthony Richardson and had the Colts in the thick of the playoff race until the very end. He's as competitive a guy as you'll find in this league and certainly has the abiilty to make many of the necessary throws.
Minshew threw for over 3,300 yards and 15 touchdowns in 13 games last year. He's started 37 games over his career spanning back to 2019. He's no slouch, and he has some talent around him. Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer give him more than plenty to work with.
The Raiders aren't going to be pushovers with Minshew under center.