Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Las Vegas Raiders and free-agent quarterback Gardner Minshew agreed to a two-year contract Monday, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero added that Minshew's deal is worth $25 million with $15 million fully guaranteed.
The move came after The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported that the Raiders were "discussing a possible trade" with the Chicago Bears for quarterback Justin Fields.
Minshew spent the 2023 season with the Indianapolis Colts. After initially signing as the backup to Anthony Richardson, he was thrust into the starting lineup after the rookie quarterback suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.
Minshew finished the regular season with 3,305 yards and 15 touchdowns against nine interceptions as the Colts narrowly missed the playoffs.
"I did the best I could this year leading this team," he told reporters when asked about the 2023 season. "There's times I could have done better. Obviously, I wish we could have gotten in the playoffs and all, but I think there was a lot of good. I think we found ways to scrap and claw and win games. I'm proud of what I did this year, what we did this year. Who knows how it'll all shake out?"
The Colts are fully committed to Richardson as their franchise quarterback, so Minshew's free agency was always worth monitoring. He proved himself capable as one of the NFL's top backups who could start for a playoff-caliber team in a pinch, which always made him unlikely to return. Indianapolis paid him just $3.5 million last season, a number he was bound to exceed on the open market.
With Richardson fully healthy and expected to lead the first team in offseason workouts, there was no real reason for Minshew to return.
The Raiders will offer the veteran an increase in salary along with the chance to compete with Aidan O'Connell for the starting job.
That was something Minshew was never going to get as long as he remained with the Colts.
