Raiders’ O’Connell shines again in preseason – Can he bag backup role?

Aidan O’Connell built on his impressive debut for the Silver and Black with a stellar performance for a second straight game in week two of preseason.

The Raiders defeated the Rams 34-17 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles to improve to a 2-0 record.

Jimmy Garoppolo started for the Las Vegas, completing all four attempts for 39 yards and leading the Raiders first touchdown scoring drive of the evening during his short cameo.

Brian Hoyer made his first appearance of the preseason, too, throwing for 144 yards, but his night was marked with an interception.

But it was O’Connell who stole the show once more, as he went 11/18, posting 163 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Raiders to victory.

Having posted 141 yards and a touchdown in his debut versus the 49ers a week prior, O’Connell is outperforming many of his fellow rookie passers in preseason and continues to make a compelling argument for the QB1 spot. 

Exceeding expectations

O’Connell has more than exceeded expectations so far during camp and preseason. In two games, he has 307 yards and three touchdowns to his name.

Granted, he has received a lot of playing time – but compare that to CJ Stroud, who threw an interception in his debut and managed a stat line of only 7/12 for 60 yards through an entire half against the Dolphins – O’Connell’s numbers are impressive regardless.

His quick adaptation into the Raiders offense has been tremendous to watch, and he is already proving doubters wrong.

In a scouting report released by the Draft Network claims, turnovers, mobility and arm strength are regarded as the Purdue products’ biggest concerns.

Against the Rams, however, O’Connell went deep multiple times in the late second half, connecting with Tre Tucker and shortly after Keelan Cole over the middle to set up a first and goal.

Red Zone brilliance

The biggest plus about O’Connell’s performance against Los Angeles is undoubtedly his red zone efficiency.  

Short fields have been a crux for the Raiders offense over the years. In 2022, Derek Carr finished with a red zone passer rating of 74.6 – the worst rating in the league since 2020.

But the new number four in Vegas excelled in this area versus the Rams, throwing two touchdowns – the first being hauled in by Cameron Sims in tight coverage, with the second finding Kristian Wilkerson at the back of the endzone for six.

O’Connell’s great accuracy and ball placement were noted in his Draft Network scouting report, also.

As it grows more likely that the Raiders will be without Josh Jacobs this season, the Raiders will need such short yardage execution to continue if they are to win games.

Could this translate into O’Connell seeing regular season snaps in his backup role to Jimmy G?

The backup role still hasn’t been officially decided – but if the red zone touchdowns keep coming, the Raiders could be in a position where they have no choice but to let the rook cook.

Improvement across the board

O’Connell may have stolen the show, but the Vegas defence and offensive line acted well in their supporting roles during the Raiders second dress rehearsal.

The Raiders secondary was gifted a pick six, as Stetson Bennett (the final quarterback picked before O’Connell in the draft) floated a pass directly into the hands of Isaiah Pola-Mao.

Additionally, each of the three quarterbacks who checked into the game for Vegas were given time to craft their passes on the night, conceding only one sack, and giving their quarterbacks enough pass protection ‘to read the Sunday Times back there’ – to quote the NFL’s gameday announcers.

Creating turnovers and offensive line play has been a huge issue for the Raiders, and they will hope that such performances can continue into the regular season.

Redzone touchdowns, interceptions and pass protection. It may be preseason, but this feels like an entirely different Las Vegas Raiders – and Aidan O’Connell is right at the heart of it.