As the 2023 NFL season draws to a close, both Antonio Pierce and Aidan O’Connell have their sights set on securing their respective positions with the Las Vegas Raiders.
While Pierce hopes to become the permanent head coach, O’Connell is determined to remain the starting quarterback for the 2024 season. The 25-year-old signal caller showed flashes of his potential in the Raiders’ 31-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
Aidan O’Connell earned the highest QB rating in Week 12
While the outcome isn’t what the Silver and Black wanted, it was arguably O’Connell’s best game throwing the football. The Raiders’ passing game has struggled, with players venting their frustration this season. However, the Purdue product had a good day in the air, completing 23 of 33 passes for 248 yards and one touchdown.
Furthermore, uSTADIUM and ESPN highlighted that O’Connell had the best QB rating in Week 12 (90.4). “AOC” was ahead of players such as Russell Wilson (89.2), Matthew Stafford (85.3), Josh Allen (83.1), and Patrick Mahomes (80.3). It’s not bad company for O’Connell.
The performance is a positive step for the quarterback if he wants to convince Las Vegas to give him a chance to be under center next year. Still, the question is whether he can string together these games to close out this season. If this is the guy who is under center for the Raiders, then O’Connell could be the starter in 2024.
Is Aidan O’Connell better than past Raiders QB’s?
Jimmy Garoppolo began this season as the Raiders starting quarterback. Nonetheless, his signing has proven to be a disastrous one. With former head coach Josh McDaniels gone, Las Vegas handed the reins to O’Connell to see what they had in the rookie.
The fourth-round draft pick hasn’t been perfect for the Raiders, but he’s giving their passing game some life. Under “Jimmy G,” the Silver and Black lacked an air attack despite having quality targets such as Davante Adams and Jakobi Myers.
O’Connell’s Week 12 performance was also better than Derek Carr’s outing, as the former Raiders signal caller had a bottom-five rating of 25.1 for the New Orleans Saints. As a result, the current Raiders quarterback could be better than the franchise’s two previous starters.
Even though O’Connell is making strides, will it be enough for the Raiders to bypass drafting, trading, or signing a quarterback to take over as the starter next season?
If O’Connell can convince the Silver and Black that he’s the starting quarterback for 2024, they can sign a quality back if Garoppolo goes. Afterward, Las Vegas can use any cap space and draft capital to improve the team in other areas.
However, if O’Connell isn’t convincing in these final few weeks, the Raiders must head to the drawing board and look for a starter in the offseason.
*Top Photo: Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images
Raiders Notes: How Jimmy Garoppolo Is Handling Benching for Aidan O’Connell
(by GTHANG)
I’m rooting for the kid too but come on man. We scored 17 points and lost by 2 touchdowns. He has some of the best weapons in the league but has scored 17 or less in 4 of 5 starts.
He doesn’t handle pressure well because he can’t move. He has a good arm and mechanics but he looks awkward when his first read isn’t there and the play breaks down.
He should not be starting but we have no choice.
(By Tony Brucks)
Aidan has the rest of the season to improve and convince the ones that need convincing the job should be his.
That being said and being honest here he has shown moments of brilliance and moments of being a dud. That is expected to a degree but what is not expected are his moments of looking “dazed & confused”.
The first quarter this last game he looked and played like he knew what he wanted to do and he got it done. After the first quarter for the rest of the game he looked and played like he was un-sure of what needed to be done looking lost on the field and confused as to why.
When defenses see this they can “T-OFF” on the QB and the offense which is what KC did.
Our offense after the first quarter got manhandled and squashed the rest of the game.
Our offense (and defense) needs to learn they ARE the bosses when they are on the field and they ain’t taking prisioners. Play with authority and like you mean it. And for petes sake lets get Aidan better prepped & prepared. Can he not wear one of those wrist thingys with the plays in it?
The first quarter we rocked it. Problem is there are 4 quarters not just one.
(By Tony Brucks)
P.S.
Yes we need to draft another QB. Very possibly 2 because there are not any quality QB’s out there that can play backup.
AO looks in good in qtr 1 (scripted plays) but once those are done he’s very confused. Yes he’s a rookie but reading the D shouldn’t be that difficult at this time of the season. We need to draft a top tier QB and let them fight it out if AO plays and shows better than fine, but if the younger guy shows more command and presence then let him do it. AO will likely be a very good backup and the experience he’s getting now will help him later