The 3-5 Las Vegas Raiders, led now by interim coach Antonio Pierce, have announced rookie Aidan O’Connell as their new starting quarterback. The move follows a complete overhaul experienced by the Raiders, with the firings of HC Josh McDaniels and OC Mick Lombardi on Tuesday evening.
Davante Adams expresses frustration with lack of targets
If emptying the coaching room wasn’t enough, the Raiders immediately ‘punished’ Jimmy Garoppolo as well. The former 49ers QB, who was brought in this summer to pave a new era for Las Vegas, has been indefinitely benched. The quarterback’s experience and having who is, arguably, the best wide receiver in the league, created high expectations which weren’t met.
Who is Aidan O’Connell? The Raiders’ new QB1
Aidan O’Connell was drafted by the Raiders in the fourth round with the 135th pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. The 25-year-old got into the NFL with more years under his belt than most of his peers due to not playing a single snap for the Purdue Boilermakers in 2017 and 2018. That changed in the following seasons, with a solid 2022 season in which he threw for 3,490 yards and 12 TDs.
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In high school, the 6-foot-3 O’Connell was a two-sport athlete, adding basketball to his high school resume in addition to football. In his NFL Draft scouting report, he was considered a “tough and gritty pocket passer. He is a rhythm and timing passer that thrives within the offense’s structure”.
A tough and gritty pocket passer. He is a rhythm and timing passer that thrives within the offense’s structure
Can Aidan O’Connell turn the Raiders’ season around?
The hope for the new Las Vegas Raiders, aided by their star wideout Davante Adams and a great supporting cast in WR Jakobi Meyers and rookie TE Michael Mayer, is to find this rythm and get back on course in the NFC West.
O’Connell has a good first test against the New York Giants on Sunday (4:25 pm ET) at home. The 2-6 Giants are experiencing great turmoil as well, but their defense has been gradually improving over the past few weeks limiting the Bills, Commanders and Jets to 14 points or less.
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