Could Las Vegas put their money on Aidan O’Connell?
The Raiders offseason has been riddled with quarterback drama. Their post-season began with the release of Derek Carr in late February, followed swiftly by the arrival of former 49er Jimmy Garoppolo – the assumed starter for the franchise come September – who brought further drama as news broke of him requiring surgery on his foot.
More recently, the transition of all-time great Tom Brady from foe to investor, and a short-lived rumour that he could be a player/owner, made headlines.
Now, as the team returns for pre-season training, another lesser-known name is taking the camp my storm. Fourth round draft choice, Aidan O’Connell.
Last week at OTA’s, reports out of Raiders minicamp say that O’Connell had been catching the eye of players and journalists alike in the absence of Garoppolo. As doubts continue to surround the availability of Jimmy G come game time, could O’Connell lead the Raiders out the tunnel when the season commences on September 10th?
Perhaps there were bigger plans for O’Connell to begin with?
Humble beginnings
Aidan O’Connell was the Raiders sixth addition in the 2023 NFL Draft, as Vegas used the 135th pick on the former Purdue Boilermaker. He was the eighth passer off the board – seven picks behind national champion Stetson Bennett. Like Bennett, he too is much older than many of his fellow rookies. Currently 24, he’ll be 25 when the season begins.
Bennett and O’Connell also share the fact that they began their collegiate careers as walk-ons, much unlike most other passers in the NFL. For O’Connell, this unconventional start meant he struggled to see the field at all in his first four seasons. His freshman year, he was the eighth string passer for the Boilermakers.
O’Connell posted his biggest numbers during the 2021 campaign – with 3,712 yards and 28 touchdowns – despite beginning the year as a backup. His 2022 numbers took a slight dip however – 3,490 yards paired with 22 touchdowns.
According to the Draft Network, O’Connell is a ‘tough and gritty passer’ possessing a ‘hardworking character’ and perhaps most importantly ‘throws a nice, easily catchable football’.
McDaniels’ next project
Despite not being as highly rated as the likes of Bryce Young or Will Levis, O’Connell has received the highest praise from his Vegas coaching staff.
In May, Dave Ziegler told the media: “I watched [O’Connell] at the end of October, and I walked down to Josh McDaniels’ office – he wasn’t going to see him for another three or four months – and said: ‘When you watch this kid, this is going to be a guy that you like.”
Following the selection of O’Connell, McDaniels said: “[Aidan] played a lot of football in a good conference in college football, and he had a winning record in the Big 10 every year that he played there at Purdue – which isn’t easy to do. He’s played against good competition, he’s accurate with the ball, and he loves the game of football.”
Even prior to the draft, McDaniels had compared O’Connell’s quick release to that of Tom Brady’s. During OTA’s, cornerback Brandon Facyson added: “He’s going against a good defense, and we’re going against a good offense. He’s a new quarterback, and I know it’s his first time being in the league. So, regardless of how good or how bad the day goes, it’s just something to look forward to the next day because he’s learning. I think he’s doing a fantastic job though.”
It is no secret that McDaniels, through all his struggles so far in Vegas and Denver, fancies himself as a quarterback whisperer having previously coached Brady in New England.
It is also true that McDaniels needs to turn the team around quick after his first season with the Raiders began with Super Bowl dreams and ended with disappointment, and the exit of the Silver and Black’s nine-year starter.
The concept of taking a fourth-round pick and former walk-on and turning him into the moustached face of a franchise will excite McDaniels to no end.
Gambling with the future
The Raiders have options this season, if nothing else. But tanking is not one of them. They have three quarterbacks to work with: Garoppolo, Brian Hoyer and O’Connell. If Garoppolo is back at full fitness for the season, the team is in fairly safe hands. If he isn’t, Vegas can get out of his contract with little issue.
Equally, if the Raiders do see success this season, that would mean taking themselves out of the race for next year’s top college targets – great passers such as Caleb Williams and Drake Maye.
But simply put, being in the race for a top quarterback prospect only comes with the humiliation of another poor season. One which would likely see McDaniels and his staff booking their return flights to New England. It simply is not an option for Vegas.
On the other hand, O’Connell is a shot at redemption for McDaniels – to prove he has what it takes to develop a quarterback. To prove he can be a successful head coach in the NFL.
The right guy for the job
Stepping in on day one as a replacement for an established NFL quarterback, wearing the number of your teams recently departed nine-year starter and being asked against all odds to save your teams season and your coach’s job takes toughness – which is exactly why O’Connell could be the guy for the job.
Having been a walk on and eighth string quarterback in college, O’Connell is no stranger to adversity. He seems to be as tough as they come, and that confidence and poise takes players a long way in the National Football League.
