Raiders Release Veteran QB, Add to Underwhelming Free-Agent Pool
The Las Vegas Raiders informed veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew they're releasing him at the start of the new league year.
Another veteran quarterback is being added to the upcoming free-agent pool. The Las Vegas Raiders have informed Gardner Minshew they will release him when the new league year begins next Wednesday, according to a report by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Minshew is now set to join an already underwhelming free-agent quarterback class that will be highlighted by Minnesota Vikings’ Sam Darnold, at least one of Pittsburgh Steelers’ Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, and Cleveland Browns’ Jameis Winston.
Minshew joined the Raiders on a two-year, $25 million contract last offseason, but a change in regime hinted his stint in Las Vegas would be capped to just one year. That now becomes official.
The 28-year-old also had the worst quarterback rating of his six-year NFL career in 2024 while throwing for 2,013 yards, nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions. In Week 11, he suffered a season-ending broken collarbone.
Before joining the Raiders, Minshew served as the Indianapolis Colts starting quarterback for the 2023 season. There he had one of the better years of his professional career, throwing for a career-high 3,305 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Unfortunately, Minshew was unable to replicate that kind of success in Las Vegas and now he’ll be looking for his fifth team since entering the NFL as a sixth-round pick (No. 178 overall) in 2019.
Minshew should have at least a few suitors on the open market as a highly-experienced player with 46 career starts under his belt. He’s unlikely to land a starting job, but he will be one of the better backup options in free agency.
One of those interested teams could be the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, they must first figure out who their starting quarterback will be in 2025. That is a decision that is expected to come sooner rather than later, though.
