Raiders Mailbag: Digging into the offense ahead of Week 1

Stefano Borghini from Italy asks:

"Do you think we will play in 12 personnel often this season?"

Based off what I've seen in the preseason and training camp, everything indicates the offense running a lot of 12 personnel. And honestly, why wouldn't they?

The Silver and Black have spent the past two drafts selecting premier collegiate tight ends in Michael Mayer and Brock Bowers with the intention on maximizing their talents. Despite growing pains and injuries in his rookie season, Mayer gave a glimpse of what he could become and has shown improvement this offseason. He was a consistent target to in the passing game and has progressed as a run blocker.

As for Bowers, his duties expand outside of his allotted position. His speed, pass-catching and ability to fight for yards after catch have made him viable to line up anywhere on the field. It's also worth noting the Raiders added Harrison Bryant to the room, who also excels as a blocker. With Mayer and Bryant being the traditional in-line tight ends and Bowers as the "hybrid," they could be a tantalizing group this season.

Raymond Lujan from Nevada asks:

"Is Jackson Powers Johnson going to start at left guard?"

Jackson Powers-Johnson will receive his opportunities to shine in due time, but for now he'll have to wait.

The rookie guard sat out most of camp on the PUP list with an injury, and returned to practice on Aug. 14. Since he's still getting up to speed, it's likely that Cody Whitehair will start this week, especially considering the former Pro Bowler's experience in Luke Getsy's offense with the Bears.

"He stays focused. He's been in the meeting room absorbing everything," Andre James said about Powers-Johnson. "We're finally getting him back and seeing how he's doing and he's been doing really good. He's got a big personality and he's a great kid. He's really positive and with everything he's gone through over the last couple of weeks and months, he's stayed positive through it all and that's great."

Chris L. from Florida asks:

"What do you believe gave Minshew the edge over O'Connell?"

It was an competitive battle that could've gone either way, but experience and mobility is, I believe, essentially what won Gardner Minshew II the job.

In 2023, Minshew rushed for three touchdowns and accounted for seven first downs with his feet. Considering the opposing defenses the Raiders will face to begin the year, having a quarterback who can scramble out of the pocket is important. Additionally, Minshew has 37 career starts under his belt, opposed to Aidan O'Connell's 10 from his rookie season.

"He's a football junkie. ... He stays late and he's done a lot of things without a lot of hype and things that we talk about throughout the building that's starting to show up a little bit," Antonio Pierce said of Minshew. "And I think our team is really taking notice of that. Obviously, since we've named him the starting quarterback, he's kind of taken on that role with our skill position players and our O-line. So, it's been good to see in the building."