Finally, after 12 weeks of the 2023 NFL season, the Las Vegas Raiders are entering their bye week. Playoffs are not completely out of reach, but with a 5-7 record, it’s a longshot. A looming question is what to make of Aidan O’Connell and the team’s quarterback room.
ESPN QBRs from Week 12 (Sunday):
? TOP 5:
1. #Raiders Aidan O’Connell, 90.4
2. #Broncos Russell Wilson, 89.2
3. #Rams Matthew Stafford, 85.3
4. #Bills Josh Allen, 83.1
5. #Chiefs Patrick Mahomes, 80.3? BOTTOM 5:
20. #Saints Derek Carr, 25.1
21. #Bengals Jake Browning, 22.6… pic.twitter.com/ZwMa12v2tB— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) November 27, 2023
Can rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell be the future QB1 for the Raiders? In Week 12, he went toe-to-toe and throw-for-throw with Patrick Mahomes. One could argue that O’Connell even outplayed Mahomes in their first head-to-head matchup. Through four starts and limited action in two additional contests, Las Vegas’ fourth rounder has outperformed nearly every rookie signal caller not named C.J. Stroud.
At this point, no matter who becomes the head coach of the Raiders in 2024, it’s evident O’Connell should be in the team’s quarterback room.
But what role will he have?
Aidan O’Connell’s outlook with the Las Vegas Raiders moving forward
As the clear-cut starter
Let’s present a hypothetical situation: regardless of who becomes the de facto general manager and head coach in Las Vegas, let’s say O’Connell enters the 2024 season as the planned starter at quarterback.
Since taking over as QB1 against the New York Giants, O’Connell has amassed a 2-2 record while improving every game. The 25-year-old has showcased a command of the huddle, precise accuracy, and a penchant for finding the open man. He has managed to limit his mistakes in a very short amount of time and has proven to be the least of the issues on offense.
Spreading the ball around to the plethora of options is how the Raiders can best utilize their roster in its current construction.
Dynamic quarterbacks capable of extending plays and launching eye-popping throws with dazzling displays of speed are what everyone wants. A lack of athleticism and impotent play calling have been the only limiting factors in O’Connell’s game.
What is necessary at the quarterback position are the skills O’Connell excels at. Pre-snap skills in aligning the offense, reading the defense, getting to the correct play, and adjusting his protection. Post-snap: good footwork on handoffs and drops, going through progressions, and delivering a catchable ball with good placement while protecting the ball.
Moving forward with O’Connell in place as ‘the guy’ no longer necessitates the need to draft a quarterback in the first round or mortgage picks to move up in the draft. It will also give the Raiders the ability to move on from both Jimmy Garoppolo and Brian Hoyer. By adding a veteran free agent or two off the street, Las Vegas can reset their quarterback room in the easiest way possible.
Veterans competing for the Raiders’ QB1 job
Option no. 2 in the ‘what to do with Aidan O’Connell’ conundrum is to keep him and allow him to compete for the job with another veteran moving forward.
By taking this route, the Raiders can sign one (or more) of these quarterbacks slated to be free agents in 2024: Kirk Cousins, Ryan Tannehill, Jacoby Brissett, Tyrod Taylor, Marcus Mariota, Sam Darnold, Jameis Winston, Drew Lock, Baker Mayfield, Gardner Minshew, Teddy Bridgewater, Tyler Huntley, Joshua Dobbs, Easton Stick, Nate Sudfeld, Blaine Gabbert, Josh Johnson, Kyle Allen, Brandon Allen, Mason Rudolph, Logan Woodside, Feleipe Franks, Jake Browning, or Garrett Gilbert.
To be honest, the most compelling quarterbacks in this free agent class are Dobbs, Cousins, Winston, Mayfield, and Minshew. O’Connell is capable of winning a battle against all of these guys and thus eliminating a huge drop-off or advantage at the NFL’s most crucial position.
The main benefit of walking this path is that the Raiders can place higher emphasis on other positions of need. In fact, the Silver and Black wouldn’t really need to draft a quarterback at all. This allows Las Vegas to concentrate on refortifying the interior on both offense and defense.
The super back-up
Last but certainly most likely, Aidan O’Connell will finish the season, and the Raiders’ new permanent head coach will keep him as a backup. It just boils down to a new coach wanting to move forward with his own guy. Whether O’Connell develops into the second coming of Tom Brady or stays at the level he is, he will serve out the remainder of his four-year rookie deal in Sin City.
In this route, O’Connell will mentor whichever young, dynamic quarterback the organization brings in, hold the clipboard, and wait for his next opportunity to play. Should the team’s new rookie be a bust or not highly drafted, O’Connell can step in and hold the spot down until said quarterback is ready to take over.
The path the Raiders take moving forward depends on the remaining five games on the schedule.
Can Aidan O’Connell put 30 on the board again? Whether or not he can beat Las Vegas’ AFC West opponents will be a major indicator of which avenue is taken moving forward. Until then, all we can do is watch and wonder.
*Top Photo: Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images