A very powerful place within the NFL is quarterback. Regardless of how good the remainder of the roster is, a workforce will solely go up to now in the event that they aren’t getting nice performances from the person below middle. For the Las Vegas Raiders, their beginning QB will come right down to a contest between second-year man Aidan O’Connell and veteran Gardner Minshew.
Whereas the competitors on the sphere will certainly be a fierce one, the 2 do have a whole lot of respect for one another with O’Connell even noting that there are some similarities of their tales, by way of Paul Gutierrez of ESPN:
“Our tales are sort of each underdog tales,” O’Connell stated Tuesday, “and having to work to get to the purpose the place we’re at.”
Each O’Connell and Minshew have been picked within the latter half of the draft with O’Connell being a fourth-round choose whereas Minshew went within the sixth. Each additionally started their careers as backups however have been thrust into beginning obligation as rookies.
They each undoubtedly need to win this competitors and be the Raiders beginning quarterback, however Minshew made it clear that they each are opponents and need to beat the opposite at their greatest:
“As any actual competitor, you don’t need them to be worse; you need your self to be higher. So, the higher he’s, if I’m beating him out, which means I’m simply elevating it that rather more. … If he’s pushing me and he’s finishing each cross, I’ve obtained to determine a method to do higher.
“He’s a workforce man; I’m a workforce man. We each need to win. We each need to get higher. So, I imply, there’s actually not a lot battle of curiosity there.”
O’Connell would additionally add that he’s feeling much more comfy in his second season, even whereas attempting to be taught a brand new offense:
“It’s a change as a result of it’s a brand new offense, so it’s somewhat bit like beginning over,” O’Connell stated. “However on the identical time, it’s my now second yr within the NFL. I believe all the additional rookie stuff I don’t should do anymore is known as a weight off my shoulders. And so, yeah, undoubtedly feeling extra comfy … it’s clearly a contest, so [I’m] attempting to place my greatest foot ahead daily.”
This will likely be a real competitors between O’Connell and Minshew because the Raiders search for the person to steer them again to the playoffs in 2024. They may battle it out all through coaching camp, however their respect is not going to dwindle no matter who comes out on high.
Aidan O’Connell switches jersey quantity out of respect for former Raiders QB Derek Carr
One other distinction for O’Connell this season will likely be his jersey quantity. As a rookie, O’Connell had the jersey no. 4, however in 2024, he will likely be no. 12, and he revealed the explanation for the change.
O’Connell revealed that he didn’t select the quantity, nevertheless it was given to him. As soon as the offseason got here, he felt it was disrespectful to former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who’s the franchise’s profession chief in passing yards and touchdowns.
