Aidan O’Connell is “Deserving” of the Chance to Face Off for the Lead.
The goal of head coach Antonio Pierce is to get the Las Vegas Raiders back to the postseason the following season, although greater quarterback play is a prerequisite. In free agency, the team signed veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew to a two-year contract. They will almost certainly select another quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft, but they also need to remember Aidan O’Connell, who returned from last season.
Midway through the previous season, the fourth-round choice from Purdue assumed the starting role. He undoubtedly experienced setbacks, but he also shown that he was a quality starter in this league. O’Connell will compete with other players for the starting position with the Raiders come next season.
According to Coral Smith of NFL.com, Pierce made it very apparent when he stated that O’Connell has the right to compete for the starting quarterback position because of his performance from last season:
In his first season as a starter, O’Connell finished 5-5 while throwing for 2,218 yards, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Even though his stats don’t particularly stand out, he did stand out for his composure under duress and lack of fear of the big moment, as well as his teammates’ faith in him.
O’Connell is without a doubt the favorite to start for the Raiders right now and has earned the right to compete. However, Pierce believes that it will be greatest for the team if he can get his quarterbacks to compete. The Raiders will most likely select one more young quarterback in the draft, regardless of whether they utilize their first-round pick on a QB. To secure the starting position, though, they will need to overcome Aidan O’Connell, and Pierce is aware that this won’t be simple for anyone.
Charles Woodson hopes that Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy is selected by the Raiders.
With their current 13th overall pick, the Raiders will not be able to select one of the top three quarterback prospects unless they make a deal. Though there are other fascinating prospects the team might select at number thirteen, Raiders icon Charles Woodson is reportedly eyeing Michigan’s JJ McCarthy. Given that he attended Michigan, Woodson could be a little biased, but McCarthy is a first-round choice who possesses a ton of potential that should translate to the NFL. If McCarthy was selected by the Raiders, Woodson declared that his life would be ideal. He went on to say that although McCarthy might take some time to mature, his potential is very great.
