Did the Las Vegas Raiders’ 2023 season go up in smoke? After winning two straight games, the Silver and Black had momentum with a 3-3 record. Head coach Josh McDaniels and his squad faced a Chicago Bears team without Justin Fields.
Brian Hoyer was named the starter under center with Jimmy Garoppolo unavailable, but after losing 30-12 to Chicago, there are questions about starting the veteran going forward. McDaniels defended his decision to not go with Aidan O’Connell as Garoppolo’s fill in.
Truthfully, Hoyer’s record as a starting quarterback should’ve been a sign that Las Vegas went with the wrong player if they wanted to leave Soldier Field with a win.
There’s a lot to dive into with the underwhelming loss that puts the Raiders at a crossroads with the NFL trade deadline looming on Oct. 31. Let’s touch on the latest.
Raiders’ Josh McDaniels explains not starting Aidan O’Connell
Las Vegas fans know what Hoyer brings to the table. The veteran can be a good mentor and someone who can come in under center in an emergency. However, the 38-year-old isn’t going to lead an offense down the field and put up points.
So, in a game against a bad Bears team with no Fields, it was a head-scratching decision to go with Hoyer over O’Connell. Hoyer didn’t take advantage of this opportunity, either, as he went 17-of-32 on his pass attempts for 129 passing yards with two interceptions.
O’Connell came in relief of Hoyer in the fourth quarter, and the much younger signal-caller again showed positive signs. The 25-year-old went 10-of-13 on his pass attempts for 75 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Even though the Purdue product at least injected some life into the Raiders’ offense, Josh McDaniels backed his decision to go with Hoyer.
“This isn’t the preseason anymore, you know what I mean?” McDaniels told reporters postgame when asked about why he went with Hoyer over O’Connell (h/t 8 News Now’s Logan Reever). “When your starter is not available, you’re trying to make what you think is the best decision for the team.
“Again, I don’t put this all on one person. Now, let’s make sure we make that clear. There’s a lot of people that can do a better job of what we did today, and that’s what we’re going to need to do.”
Brian Hoyer’s losing streak continues
O’Connell may or may not be the quarterback of the future for the Raiders. Still, they need to ride him through good and bad to form an opinion instead of throwing out Hoyer under center.
“Jimmy G” right now is proving to be injury-prone, and if Las Vegas’ season trends downward after this loss, then O’Connell should be under center if Garoppolo is out. Additionally, Hoyer’s losing streak as a starting quarterback should’ve been a sign to go with the rookie.
The Associated Press’ Josh Dubow spotlighted on X (formerly Twitter) that Hoyer has lost his last 13 starts. There are only six quarterbacks who have had a longer losing streak than the veteran: Archie Manning (14), DeShone Kizer (15), Marc Bulger (15), Steve Spurrier (15), Chris Weinke (17), and Dan Pastorini (21).
Las Vegas will play the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football at Ford Field in Week 8. Garoppolo is expected to return next week, but if the Raiders fall to 3-5, is it time for the team to give O’Connell a more extended look to see what they have?
What do you say, Raiders fans? What should the team do at quarterback? Is it O’Connell time, or should they stick with Garoppolo until the season goes south?
*Top Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
It just goes to show you this guy does not have a clue how to coach he’s not even a good offensive coordinator I think Bill belichick needs him over there they’re in need of each other it’s time to rebuild with a real Coach he always makes excuses
This is why I don’t buy their stuff no more for the last 3 years I have had to buy a Jersey or a shirt or shorts I go to the Goodwill salvation army and savers I find all that stuff there all brand new the funny part is I still don’t wear the stuff I’m not going to let my friends who are charger fans Chief fans or bronco fans who I’m laughing at laugh at me cuz I’m wearing those losers for the last 20 something years I’m still a fan but I don’t take it serious no more just can’t keep supporting losers and every time they do get somebody that wins they get rid of them now look where they’re at they can keep them in Vegas pretty soon Vegas is going to want another team someone that wins
The most embarrassing part is they have enough talent on that team to win and Josh McDonald’s just can’t put it together some people are good offensive coordinators he’s not a good coach Dick LeBeau tried coaching and he found out he was a better defensive coordinator than a coach McDonald’s just the need to check his ego cuz he’s never going to be better than belichick
Mark Davis should really think about what’s going on cuz sooner or later Vegas is going to want a team that’s really going to win I’m missing in California but this big losing streak they have for the last 20 years it’s just laughable but your Vegas is problem now and soon they’ll want another team because they’ll find it out they’re just a big joke and Mark Davis really needs to listen to what’s going on or does he have a gambling problem
(by GTHANG)
Garoppolo was never the answer. He’s not “proving to be injury-prone” as Eduardo suggests: He’s proved it time and again throughout his entire career. Even when he was young, he couldn’t finish 4 games when Tom Brady was suspended for deflating footballs.
The problem is all the money we still owe him. $28 mil against the cap next year and some dead after that.
Garoppolo played for $6 mil last year in SF, got injured again, and then these brilliant minds running the Raiders paid him nearly $25 mil per for 3 years. Between Jimmy and the Chandler Jones debacle, we will be eating dead money for years thanks to the New England West philosophy.
Last year, we had a blowout offense that sputtered in the 2nd half time and time again due to lousy play calling, and we also had a horrible defense.
Now we have a sputtering offense from the gate with no long ball threats, and we also have a horrible defense (though definitely better than last year). Week for week, we would have won every game had we scored as many points as the same week last year. It’s time to fire McDaniels. He does not know what he is doing. You could argue that last year he was getting settled in and figuring out his players, but this year, we’re doing worse.
McDaniels is a smug arrogant little prick, who obviously does not have the ability to lead men! The fact that he is still employed just goes to show the incompetence of Mark Davis.
That bowl cut needs to sell the team so that he can stop disgracing the memory of Al Davis.
WE SUCK!!!