Raiders’ Davante Adams sends message on Aidan O’Connell

Mandatory minicamp is the time for players to start getting acquainted with new teammates and systems. So we don’t expect a team to play perfect football. Even though the Las Vegas Raiders defense is already playing at a high level, the offense hasn’t been perfect.

The team has a quarterback battle between Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell. The latter was with the Raiders last season, so he could have a leg up on the veteran. Star wide receiver Davante Adams has been impressed with what he’s seen of O’Connell’s development this offseason.

“It’s more about overall comfort in your own skin,” Adams said during his June 12 press briefing. “He is who he is now. He talks a little (expletive) there too. So it’s a little bit of everything. You start to see him more in comparison to the mere shell of a beginner trying to do everything by the rules. This is what takes men to the next level: once you figure out who you really are and start to blossom. … As soon as he got here this offseason, he put his cleats on, strapped them on and you could tell he was ready to go.

The Raiders gave Minshew a two-year, $25 million contract in free agency, which would be a big deal for a backup, but O’Connell will have every chance to win the job.

Davante Adams defends QBs

Neither quarterback has run away with the position, as both have struggled to consistently complete passes in practice. For his part, Adams isn’t worried and understands the slow start due to Minshew and O’Connell learning a new offense.

“None of these guys are familiar with this offense, so they’re taking advantage of all their reps and learning from their mistakes because obviously there’s going to be a lot of them,” Adams said. “It’s the most difficult position to play in football. It’s not going to be easy, but they keep pushing.

Davante Adams doesn’t feel frustrated

There’s no reason for the Raiders to be too concerned about offense right now. Training camp is where things start to get really serious. Adams has been open about the times he’s been frustrated with the team, but he’s relaxed right now.

“The frustration comes mid-season when we haven’t made the progress we need to make,” Adams said. “At this point, you’re not a very mature or experienced football player if you’re frustrated during mandatory minicamp. Obviously I get frustrated every play if it doesn’t work to some extent, but it’s not frustration when you lose hope in your teammates or yourself or the potential of what you can do in team. It’s more like, “I have a standard.” … You need to have realistic expectations at this stage, but still keep your level.

The Raiders’ offense struggled last season, so they will need to show signs of improvement at some point if the team wants to be confident. It’s possible that Las Vegas will be a defensive team in 2024, but there is too much talent on offense for them not to put up points consistently.