Raiders QBs ready for pivotal preseason tilt with Cowboys

Nate Hobbs isn’t paying attention to the Raiders quarterback competition.

Sure, he’s aware that Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew have been engaged in a monthslong battle for the starting job, but according to the fourth-year cornerback, it’s none of his business.

After Wednesday’s open practice at Allegiant Stadium, Hobbs was asked if he has devoted any extra time observing the quarterbacks and the offense throughout training camp.

“Hell nah,” Hobbs said. “I be locked in on what I’ve got to do. I can’t spend my time (on that). Just like they’re probably not looking at us. They’re locked in on what they’ve got to do, so I’m locked in on what I’ve got to do.”

Hobbs might be the only person in Las Vegas without an opinion on the QB tussle, which should be drawing to a conclusion sometime after today’s preseason matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Coach Antonio Pierce said O’Connell and Minshew each would play one quarter in that contest, after which Pierce expects to name a starter.

It’s a similar arrangement to the first preseason contest, which saw each passer run the offense for a quarter in the Raiders’ 24-23 loss at Minnesota.

Both were effective. O’Connell got the start and piloted one long drive, connecting on 7-of-9 passes for 76 yards. Minshew subbed in and went 6-of-12 for 117 yards, with one touchdown pass. Neither committed a turnover, though O’Connell took a third-down sack inside the red zone to end the first possession.

They were at it again Wednesday, alternating reps and making their case in front of an unofficial tally of 40,000 spectators. O’Connell hit Davante Adams deep for a long gain and also found the end zone on a 2-minute drive to end the session.

“It was a good practice,” O’Connell said. “It was good to hit a couple deep balls.”

Though tonight’s contest will be decisive for the quarterbacks, Minshew isn’t putting any pressure on himself to make a statement. A sixth-year veteran on his fourth NFL team, he has been a starter, a backup, a spark plug off the bench and a bridge quarterback.

He intends to play his game, make the right plays and, no matter what Pierce decides, be a good teammate.

“If I knew a better way of doing things, I’d be doing it,” Minshew said. “You just keep on, trust the process, continue to learn and get better, and support whatever decision he makes.”

One potential X-factor is the status of Davante Adams. Pierce intends to play his starters against Dallas, much like the first preseason game, when even highly-paid defensive linemen Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins saw a full drive. Adams returned from paternity leave this week, and on Tuesday said he wouldn’t be inclined to participate in any preseason action.

“Just based off the risk, it’s not on my mind as something I’m looking forward to,” Adams said. “I look forward to the (preseason) games to watch the guys go at it and watch the team get better and all the things that go into that, but if I’m choosing, I’m not playing.”

The next day, Pierce was asked specifically about Adams’ comment and reiterated his policy of getting everyone on the field in preseason.

“No,” Pierce said. “If you’re healthy, you’ll play.”

O’Connell and Minshew are certainly hoping Pierce wins that battle of wills.

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.