Las Vegas Raiders' Antonio Pierce is going to hold his biggest secret until at least the first preseason game

The Las Vegas Raiders are one of the few teams in the NFL to have a legitimate quarterback battle Well, they have two going on -- the two quarterbacks battling for the starting position, and then the two battling for the third-string position. So, the preseason will be of good use for that, among other things.

With the Raiders at a crucial part of training camp now, with pads on, that means that their first preseason game is close. We got our first taste of football of the year with the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears playing one another in the Hall of Fame Game, but now it's the Raiders' turn.

On Saturday, yes Saturday, they will take on the Minnesota Vikings. But, the first thing that comes to mind is, who is going to start the game at the quarterback position?

"We can't sit here and say anyone has won yet. Gardner has had good moments... when I look at Aidan I see some good moments, some drops by the receivers, too. They are going against a very good defense, and I think they are feeling that. Both QBs will play a legit quarter [on Saturday]. Who goes out first and second doesn't matter. Both will get a chance to showcase," Pierce said on Monday.

And, that's a pretty wise answer. He wants to keep this battle and who the starter will be under wraps as long as possible, and, that may very well continue to be the case after the game is over on Saturday. What I'd expect to happen, is O'Connell to start the first quarter of the first game, and then Minshew take over in the second quarter. Then from there, the other two quarterbacks get a quarter as well.

Then, in the second preseason game, switch the two QBs and what quarter they play. After the second preseason game, I think Pierce will have a pretty good idea of who will start in Week 1 of the 2024 season. And, if he needs one more preseason game, so be it -- you want him to get this decision right because it could make or break a season.

Fans should be confident that Pierce knows what he is doing, though, as he keeps his biggest secret under wraps.

Related: Raiders' Antonio Pierce has a message that should scare anyone in the NFL worrying about their QB battle