Who Should I Start? Gardner Minshew or Davis Mills

Monday, February 17, 10:58 PM

The Athletic's Tashan Reed writes that quarterback Gardner Minshew II was terrible in 10 appearances in 2024 and won't be in the Las Vegas Raiders' plans at quarterback in 2025. The Raider will free up only $3 million in salary cap space this year while taking a dead-money hit of $10.82 million if they cut him, according to Spotrac. However, if they make him a post-June 1 cut, they'll save $6 million in cap space, with the dead-money hit spread across the next two years -- $7.82 million in 2025 and $3 million in 2026. With Minshew likely being cut this offseason, Aidan O'Connell would be the team's clear starter heading into next season, but the Raiders could draft a new signal-caller, sign one on the open market or trade for someone. Minshew was a first-time Pro Bowler in 2023 with the Colts but threw nine TDs and 10 interceptions in Vegas in 2024 and will be a backup option for anyone that picks him up.

Sunday, January 5, 4:09 PM

Playing in relief on Sunday, Houston Texans backup quarterback Davis Mills completed 12 of 22 passes for 128 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in a victory at Tennessee. Houston was already set as the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs, so the team gave starter C.J. Stroud the day off after throwing a touchdown pass to wide receiver Nico Collins on the first drive of the game. With many key players out of the game, Mills took over under center and did a serviceable job, avoiding any major mistakes and adding 11 rushing yards on three carries. He'll return to being the backup when Houston plays host to a Wild Card game next week.