Gardner Minshew response to being benched by Las Vegas Raiders sums him up

Gardjson Minshew was benched by the Las Vegas Raiders in their Week 5 defeat to the Denver Broncos, with head coach Antonio Pierce yet to confirm who will start at quarterback in Week 6

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew has made a solid commitment to "help the team" in any capacity despite being benched by head coach Antonio Pierce, favouring Aidan O'Connell. Sunday's game saw Minshew pulled out in the third quarter during a 34-18 loss to the Denver Broncos after his second interception.

Before getting benched, Minshew had managed 12-for-17 for 137 yards and lobbed a touchdown to newcomer tight end Brock Bowers, though his two interceptions overshadowed these gains on a tough afternoon for the Raiders.

Post-match, Minshew reflected on the defeat, saying: "I thought we got off to a good start," and conceded, "Then I killed off our momentum with a pick-six and at the end of the day, I didn't do a good enough job giving us a shot to be competitive in this game."

He took responsibility, adding: "That's on me, I'll get back to work and keep going. No matter what my role is on the team, I'm gonna help the team any way I can."

Now standing at a 2-3 record this season following their week 5 downfall, the Raiders are dealing with severe inconsistency. They floundered in their first match against the Los Angeles Chargers, then made jaws drop with a victory over the Baltimore Ravens, only to stumble again in Week 3 against the previously winless Carolina Panthers.

A subsequent win against the faltering Cleveland Browns brought Las Vegas back on level ground in Week 4, but they're now plunged into a quarterback quandary amid top receiver Davante Adams’ trade request. O'Connell, coming in as Minshew's substitute, didn't fare much better, achieving just 10-for-20 with 94 yards and an interception.

Pierce pointed the finger at Minshew for the need to make a change during the game, having already given him a heads up. Following the Raiders' crushing 36-22 defeat to the Panthers, Pierce disclosed to the press: "I think as the game went on, I don't think it was the team.

"I think there were definitely some individuals that made business decisions. And we'll make business decisions going forward, as well."

Adams, who only managed 40 yards in the game and appeared visibly frustrated when exiting the field, subsequently put in a request to be traded.

Pierce further commented: "The scheme wasn't good enough. The design of the plays wasn't good enough today, what we thought was going to work didn't work, and on the grass, we didn't execute. Nor did we put forth the effort, to me, that we put up in games past."

In light of both Minshew's and O'Connell's recent performances, Pierce confessed to journalists that he's uncertain about who will lead the team in Week 6 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Raiders' coach is currently assessing both athletes this week, aiming to stir up a sense of competition.