NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport comically notes that Minshew “still has guaranteed money coming from” his contract with the Raiders. This is a great spot for Minshew. The 28-year-old journeyman will get to learn from Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes before rolling the dice in free agency one year from now. It would be unsurprising to see Minshew get one more chance at a starting job in 2026. Until then, we can hope for a Week 18 spot-start as Mahomes rests ahead of the playoffs.

The move won’t be official until next week when free agency begins. It was a move widely expected after Minshew struggled mightily as the Vegas starter over nine games. He managed nine touchdowns to ten interceptions over those starts and eventually lost the starting gig to equally-unimpressive Aidan O’Connell. Minshew, 28, will certainly land on another roster this spring or summer and could end up starting games for another QB-desperate franchise. Only Will Levis had a lower drop back EPA than Minshew in 2024.

Reed speculates that the Raiders could cut Minshew and notes that they will free up $3 million in cap space by moving on, although it could be $6 million if they used a post-June 1 designation on his release. Aidan O’Connell enters the offseason as the starter for the Raiders, but new management seems likely to add a veteran at the very least. They could do more than that by putting together a big contract for someone like Sam Darnold.