There may be no more important connection to have in the NFL than the one between a quarterback and his number-one wide receiver. That's what gets the ball down the field in the most efficient way, it's what moves the chains, and the pass game is oftentimes what destroys the opposing team's defenses. The Las Vegas Raiders didn't do that much last season.
They have been known to have a good offense and terrible defense in the past. Then, it completely flipped last year. The offense was terrible - one of the worst in the league.
However, with the change of coaching staff, the additional weapons added, and the guys who were rookies last year showing promise at the end of the year, and having a full offseason under their belt, the offense could be much better.
We still don't know who the quarterback will be in Week 1. We can assume that Aidan O'Connell has the job until proven otherwise, but what Gardner Minshew brings to the table is worth a look as well.
He also nearly got the Indianapolis Colts into the playoffs. But, he does not have the chemistry with the weapons that O'Connell already does, especially with guys like Davante Adams.
Adams has not been at OTAs, as they are all voluntary. But, Minshew is doing his due diligence to make sure they can connect whenever that time comes.
"Oh, absolutely, I've had a ton of conversations with Davante [Adams]," Minshew said earlier this week. "He hasn't been out yet, but I'm super excited to get to work with him, man. I've been watching a lot of his stuff with the Packers back with [Aaron] Rodgers, that was a lot of [Luke] Gesty stuff.
"And a lot of the concepts that I've been seeing them run on tape for years, we're finally getting to run and kind of getting the minutiae of the detail of what he likes, why they're getting to it versus certain looks. It's been some awesome insight, and just really looking forward to getting into that more."
Minshew will love throwing to Adams - one of the best receivers in the last 10-15 years, if not the best. The fact that Minshew is watching Adams' old plays in the Luke Getsy offense that was ran in Green Bay with the Packers back in the day, says a lot about how good Minshew wants to be, and the work he is putting in.
Minshew isn't going to just give up the starting spot. Even if he doesn't win it, he's making it known he is doing all of the right things. He is showing that he wants to help the Raiders win.
