Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce says quarterback Aidan O’Connell has earned the right to compete for the starting quarterback job.
Earned The Right
“At the end of the day, listen, Aidan O’Connell played his ass off,” Pierce said of the 2023 fourth-rounder. “He did a hell of a job for us. You’re talking about a kid that has the mental toughness to play in the National Football League. Whatever happens and whatever we do, it has to go through Aidan O’Connell. (I’m) being honest with you, because he’s earned that right.”
O’Connell Raiders Stats
O’Connell started ten games last season for the Raiders, going 5-5. He threw for 2,218 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions this past season. O’Connell threw eight touchdowns and zero interceptions in the season’s final four games.
The Raiders also signed Gardner Minshew to a two-year, $25 million deal in free agency to compete for the job. The Raiders also hold the No.13 pick in the NFL Draft and could draft a quarterback.
“I got Tom Telesco (as general manager),” Pierce said. “Got the magician. (I’ll) figure out what he’s got up his sleeve. He’s done it for a long time. I got a lot of trust in him. … (He) knows something about quarterbacks. So I’m going to let him figure it out.”
The Raiders could stay at No.13 or jump in the draft to take the quarterback they like.
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