Raiders add to offense with two major signings

The Las Vegas Raiders had two big holes on their offense. Going into the offseason one of their biggest priorities was to plug those holes and the Raiders have done that with the signing of quarterback Gardner Minshew and running back Alexander Mattison.

The Raiders addressed their quarterback situation with the signing of Gardner Minshew. Minshew signed a two-year, $25-million contract ($15 million guaranteed including a $6 million signing bonus). Minshew certainly has a quality resume. Coming off his first pro bowl nod. Minshew has started 37 career games and played in 49. He led the Colts to a 7-6 record last year after taking the reins after promising rookie and fourth-overall pick Anthony Richardson was lost for the year due to injury. Minshew completed 62.2 percent of his passes (305 of 490) for 3,305 yards with 15 touchdowns to nine interceptions. Minshew will look to compete with last year Raiders starter Aiden O’Connel. 

“I’m always looking for opportunities to compete, man, and this is a great one here,” Minshew noted when asked about the “unsettled” quarterback room in Las Vegas. “Excited to get in and compete with a team that I feel like has a chance to be really good. Played them at the end of the year last year, felt some of that momentum, some of that energy that was building, and anytime you have a chance to compete and win that’s all you can really look forward to. It’s going to be competitive. I think they’re going to try to put together the best quarterback room they can. There’s no promises being made, I don’t want any guarantees, I just want a chance, and I’m excited for the chance I have here.”

The Raiders were able to plug another hole after losing all-pro running back Josh Jacobs. The Raiders signed former Vikings running back Alexander Mattison. Mattison will also be competing with current Raiders starter Zamir White. Mattison, 25, was released by the Vikings on March 4 after he failed to hold down the starting running back job following the departure of longtime lead back Dalvin Cook. Mattison started 13 games last season but managed only 700 yards on the ground without any rushing touchdowns. Of his 180 attempts, none was for more than 21 yards. He did catch three touchdown passes. In his five seasons with the Vikings, Mattison averaged 4.1 yards per carry while rushing for 2,370 yards on 584 attempts, with 11 touchdowns. He also caught 100 passes for 718 yards and another six scores.