The Las Vegas Raiders plan to return to the postseason subsequent yr, however head coach Antonio Pierce will want higher quarterback play to do this. The crew added veteran Gardner Minshew on a two-year deal in free company and can nearly undoubtedly add one other quarterback in some unspecified time in the future in the course of the 2024 NFL Draft, however the man getting back from final yr shouldn’t be forgotten both: Aidan O’Connell.
The fourth-round pick of Purdue took over because the starter halfway by way of final season and positively had his struggles, however he additionally confirmed indicators of being a succesful starter on this league. No matter who else is introduced in, O’Connell will probably be in competitors for the Raiders’ beginning job subsequent season.
Pierce made that very clear as he stated O’Connell’s play final season has earned him the best to compete for that beginning quarterback spot, by way of Coral Smith of NFL.com:
“On the finish of the day, hear, Aidan O’Connell performed his ass off. He did a helluva job for us,” Pierce stated. “You’re speaking a couple of child that has the psychological toughness to play within the Nationwide Soccer League. No matter occurs and no matter we do it has to undergo Aidan O’Connell. Being trustworthy with you as a result of he’s earned that proper.”
O’Connell went 5-5 as a starter final yr, throwing for two,218 yards and 12 touchdowns with seven interceptions. Whereas his numbers don’t essentially bounce off the web page, it was his poise beneath strain and never being afraid of the second that stood out, and he had the idea of his Raiders teammates.
No doubt, O’Connell has earned the best to compete and is probably going the favourite to start out for the Raiders as issues presently stand. However Pierce definitely needs to make issues aggressive for his quarterbacks as he feels that will probably be finest for the crew general:
“Like anyone else it’s all about competitors,” he stated. “And if we will make that room probably the most aggressive room on our crew, the quarterback room, we’ll be a great soccer crew.”
Whether or not the Raiders use their first-rounder on a quarterback or not, the crew will nearly definitely herald yet another younger quarterback by way of the draft. However they must undergo Aidan O’Connell to get the beginning job, and Pierce is aware of that received’t be simple for anybody.
Charles Woodson would love for Raiders to draft Michigan QB JJ McCarthy
The Raiders presently have the thirteenth general choose, which implies, barring a commerce, they received’t be in place to draft one of many prime three quarterback prospects. However there are different intriguing potential gamers the crew may draft at 13, and Raiders legend Charles Woodson has his eyes on Michigan’s JJ McCarthy.
Whereas Woodson could have just a little little bit of bias, contemplating he’s a Michigan alum, McCarthy is anticipated to be a first-round choose and has a wealth of expertise that ought to translate on the NFL stage. Woodson stated his life can be good if the Raiders had been to draft McCarthy, including that whereas he might have just a little time to develop, his ceiling is extraordinarily excessive.
