Who Should I Start? Gardner Minshew or Kyle Trask

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.

Saturday, August 17, 10:52 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Kyle Trask was given the start under center once again for the second preseason contest on Saturday. The former second-round pick looked better on the field during this outing. He completed 12-of-19 passing attempts for 108 yards with one touchdown and zero interceptions in the loss. This performance should give Trask the edge in his competition with John Wolford for the backup job behind Baker Mayfield. During the second half, Wolford completed 7-of-14 passing attempts for 52 yards in the loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. There is still one preseason game left on the schedule. Possibly, Mayfield gets into that contest, but it'll likely be Trask and Wolford for a majority of the snaps.