Offenses, and quarterbacks specifically, aren’t going to be very successful if they don’t execute well on third down.
So, whether it’s incumbent Aidan O’Connell or free-agent addition Gardner Minshew who wins the Las Vegas Raiders’ starting quarterback battle this summer, improved play on third down is crucial for the team’s success in 2024.
A recent tweet by NFL analyst Warren Sharp listed the best quarterbacks on third down in the season in 2023. Minshew who started 13 games for the Indianapolis Colts, was 25th in the NFL, while O’Connell, who started 10 games as a rookie for the Raiders, was ranked 27th.