A concussion will keep Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo out of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers. This opens the door for rookie Aidan O’Connell to make his NFL debut as the Raiders’ quarterback, who head coach Josh McDaniels picked over longtime veteran Brian Hoyer.
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Rookie Aidan O’Connell Gets the Starting Nod
It’s O’Connell’s first league action after being drafted in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. In the process, the Purdue Boilermaker became the Raiders’ first rookie QB selection post-Derek Carr.
O’Connell earned this opportunity with a strong preseason, passing for 482 yards and three touchdowns, along with a completion percentage close to 70%. O’Connell beat out Hoyer, who was a backup with the New England Patriots when McDaniels was an offensive coordinator.
O’Connell opened eyes around the team, with McDaniels saying in August, “I really love his attitude, his demeanor, the way he approaches football, and how he attacks every day. He’s got a plan, and that usually bodes well for you in terms of improving.”
O’Connell was inactive and the designated third quarterback for the Raiders’ first three games. Hoyer, who has been in the league since 2009, was active as Garoppolo’s backup each game.
McDaniels said this week, “Experience is valuable, and at the same time, we will try to play the right person based on what the situation is and how practice goes, if that’s what it comes to.”
MORE: Las Vegas Raiders Depth Chart 2023
Las Vegas won the season opener against the Denver Broncos but dropped the next two games. The team ranks 30th with 15 points per game and 23rd in yards per game with 287.7.
Josh Jacobs is averaging 36 rushing yards per game, which is over 60 yards below what he averaged in 2022. Jacobs ended a holdout over a contract dispute at the end of training camp.
O’Connell Nearly Played at NCAA Division III School
For starters, O’Connell is old for a rookie (24), so even he’s seen a ton of football. Even at Purdue, he’s had to fight for a roster spot throughout his career.
Underrecruited out of high school, O’Connell was once settled for Wheaton College of the NCAA Division III realm. However, Purdue offered him a preferred walk-on spot. Accepting that non-scholarship offer turned out to be the best thing for O’Connell’s career.
O’Connell ended up finishing with back-to-back 3,000-yard seasons playing in the Big Ten and threw a combined 50 touchdowns for the Boilermakers.
As for what he can bring to the Raiders, O’Connell is more in the pocket passer mold and comes with a tight spiral and quick release. But he also knows when to tilt his shoulder in adjusting to the trajectory of his passing attempts, as noted in his PFN scouting report.