Antonio Pierce benches struggling Raiders QB Gardner Minshew for Aidan O'Connell against Broncos

Antonio Pierce had seen enough.

The Las Vegas Raiders coach substituted starting quarterback Gardner Minshew in favor of backup Aidan O'Connell on Sunday. Pierce made the change late in the third quarter when the Broncos had a 20-10 lead.

Minshew had thrown his second interception of the game on the previous drive in Las Vegas. He went to the bench after completing 12 of 17 passes for 137 yards with one touchdown and the two interceptions.

The quarterback change is the latest drama in a Raiders season full of them. Pierce made the move two weeks after criticizing Raiders players for making “business decisions” in a disastrous loss to the Carolina Panthers. The Raiders then entered Sunday's game with reports that a trade for three-time All-Pro receiver Davante Adams was inevitable.

The Raiders bounced back from a loss to the Panthers in Week 3 with a win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 4 to improve to 2-2. But they struggled early on Sunday against the Broncos, led by rookie quarterback Bo Nix.

Minshew's first interception of the day likely led to a two-score swing in favor of the Broncos. With the Raiders leading 10-3, Minshew targeted rookie tight end Brock Bowers in the end zone with a play-action pass. Instead, he found Broncos safety Patrick Surtain II, who intercepted the pass and returned it for a Broncos touchdown.

Instead of holding a two-point lead, the Raiders were tied 10-10 early in the second quarter.

The Raiders played from behind in the second half. With Denver leading 20-10 late in the third quarter, Minshew looked deep offside for wide receiver Tre Tucker. Cornerback Riley Moss had good coverage on the sideline and intercepted the jump ball at the Denver 37-yard line.

That was Minshew's last pass of the day.

This is a current story that will be updated.