Gardner Minshew beats out Aidan O’Connell for Raiders starting quarterback job Boston 25 News [Video]

HENDERSON, Nev. — (AP) — Gardner Minshew made a name for himself as a quarterback who can provide a spark off the bench. Now he will get the chance to start for the Raiders when they open their season next month.

Las Vegas coach Antonio Pierce made the announcement Sunday. Minshew got the nod over Aidan O’Connell.

Pierce said Minshew’s experience and his handling of the offense gave him the edge.

“Certainly, some of what he showed in practice showed up in the games,” Pierce said. “A lot of stuff we can get better at. I don’t think anything here is a finished product, but based off of where we want to go in the first quarter of the season, we feel like Gardner gives us our best opportunity.”

The Raiders host their former Bay Area rival San Francisco 49ers on Friday in their final preseason game. They open their season Sept. 8 in Los Angeles against the Chargers.

Minshew, now in his sixth year, nearly …