QB Competition Should Bring the Best Out of O'Connell

Multiple Las Vegas Raiders veterans have spoken about quarterback Aidan O'Connell's competitiveness. An ensuing quarterback competition should only bring the best out of O'Connell.

The Las Vegas Raiders quarterback situation has been far from ordinary lately. They have taken the unique step of announcing a quarterback competition this offseason. After signing quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo last offseason with the expectation that he’d at least be able to get them through this past season, he was unable to do so. 

Garoppolo’s inability to deliver on his end of the bargain with the Raiders forced them to bench the veteran quarterback halfway through the season when they fired Josh McDaniels and promoted Coach Antonio Pierce. Quarterback Aidan O’Connell was thrown into one of the least ideal situations a fourth-round rookie quarterback could be asked to succeed.

During his rookie season, the quarterback who was drafted in the fourth round and was listed as the third-string quarterback heading into the season behind a journeyman backup quarterback with significantly more experience than him, Brian Hoyer, and behind a starting veteran quarterback whom his team had just signed and paid a premium for. Also, the week O’Connell was named the starter, the Raiders fired the only offensive play-callers he had ever worked with during the first eight games of his career. 

O’Connell went from rarely getting playing time to being named the starter for one of the most storied franchises in National Football League history, and he handled it with more poise and grace than most quarterbacks in his shoes would have. He faced as much adversity off the field in his first few weeks as the starting quarterback as he did on the field during his nine games as a starter. 

After going 5-4 as the team’s starting quarterback the last half of the season, O’Connell now faces a new challenge, a competition for the starting spot many believe he earned last season and at least deserves a shot to earn again this offseason. The Raiders have agreed to not only give O’Connell the chance most think he’s earned, but they’ve also improved the team around him.

Like every other rookie quarterback in NFL history, O’Connell struggled at times as a rookie. However, along with his inexperience, another major problem for the Raiders was the lack of a quality roster around him. Assuming the Raiders fully rebuilt their offensive line, they would have surrounded O’Connell with much more talent than last season. 

He has an improved roster, an entire offseason to prepare as the starting quarterback instead of the third-string quarterback, and a desire to prove he is a starting quarterback in the NFL. Multiple players in the Raiders locker room spoke about O’Connell’s competitiveness last season. The Raiders bringing in multiple quarterbacks to compete for the starting position he played well in last season, should only bring the best out of the quiet but fiery competitor. 

Ensure you follow on X (Twitter) @HondoCarpenter and IG @HondoSr and never miss another breaking news story again. Sign up RIGHT HERE for our 100% FREE newsletter that comes thrice a week and delivers all our best stories.


Please let us know your thoughts when you like our Facebook page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.