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
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