These final three games for Aidan O’Connell will be the lasting impression he leaves on the Las Vegas Raiders and the fanbase. Nonetheless, the quarterback situation has to be at the forefront—not only who should be the starter but also the backup situation. Mitchell Trubisky, anyone?
Las Vegas can go different routes to find its franchise quarterback. The first is that O’Connell impresses enough to hold onto the starting job for another season. However, there’s also the trade route and using the draft, but if the Purdue product gets the vote of confidence, then he’ll need a backup.
Is Mitchell Trubisky the ideal backup QB for Aidan O’Connell?
This 2023 NFL season has shown that teams need a quality backup with season-ending injuries to the likes of Aaron Rodgers, Joe Burrow, and Deshaun Watson. As a result, Silver and Black need to find a reliable backup in case anything should happen to O’Connell.
Behind O’Connell, there’s Jimmy Garoppolo and Brian Hoyer. Nonetheless, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell predicts that if interim general manager Champ Kelly keeps the job permanently, he could bring a familiar name to put behind the 25-year-old.
“The interim GM is Champ Kelly, who worked underneath Ryan Pace in Chicago as the director of pro scouting and assistant director of player personnel,” Barnwell wrote. “Those Bears teams mostly revolved around Mitch Trubisky at quarterback, although Andy Dalton did spend the 2021 season in Chicago with limited results. Trubisky could be a bridge option for a rookie or a backup to O’Connell.”
Mitchell Trubisky would be a good option for the Raiders to be behind O’Connell. The 29-year-old, who is currently with the Pittsburgh Steelers, could be on the way out of the Steel City after his recent demotion as the starting quarterback. Kenny Pickett is the No. 1 guy, but it seems Trubisky might have lost that No. 2 status, and there’s the possibility he could be searching for a new team.
At the very least, the Silver and Black will have someone with NFL experience under center in case something should happen to the rookie signal-caller if he keeps the job in Year 2.
What happens to the current Raiders QB depth chart?
If it’s O’Connell and a player like Trubisky who are QB1 and QB2, the next question is, what will transpire to the other quarterbacks on the depth chart? Barnwell writes that the two former New England Patriots won’t be long for the Raiders once the offseason comes around.
“O’Connell will be in Year 2 of his rookie deal,” Barnwell adds. “Barring a stunning turn of events, the Raiders will release Garoppolo, who will end up making just over $35 million for six starts in a Raiders uniform. And $11.3 million of that figure is in a guaranteed bonus that comes due next season. Vegas will have nearly $29 million in dead money for Garoppolo spread over the next two years on its cap.
“Hoyer is under contract next season, and his $2.2 million is fully guaranteed, which was a nice little parting gift from McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler. The Raiders may choose to just cut Hoyer and eat the money, although the 38-year-old could serve as a player-coach as the No. 3 option.”
If Kelly keeps the job, he recently stated the importance of having a franchise quarterback. Additionally, in the AFC West, where there’s Justin Herbert, Patrick Mahomes, and Russell Wilson, Kelly is right for having this philosophy. The question now is, will he keep the job and be the right man to steer the franchise in the right direction?
*Top Photo: Getty Images
