Raiders name O’Connell starter, but he knows ‘job is fluid’
Aidan O’Connell, after being involved in multiple quarterback changes during his first 22 games in the NFL, isn’t going to take anything for granted after being named the Raiders’ starter for Sunday’s game against the Steelers.
O’Connell is replacing veteran Gardner Minshew, who was benched Wednesday after guiding the team to a 2-3 record five games into the season. Coach Antonio Pierce hopes the change sticks the rest of the season. But there’s no guarantee.
“I definitely know that the job is fluid,” O’Connell said.
The Raiders’ hope is that O’Connell settles in and gives them stability. It’s something the team’s lacked since benching quarterback Derek Carr late in the 2022 season. The Raiders have started four quarterbacks in 24 games since then. And Pierce won’t hesitate to go back to Minshew if need be.
“When it’s time to make a switch, we’ll make a switch,” Pierce said.
O’Connell, 26, understands he’s only locked in for Sunday’s game. That’s why his only concern Wednesday was preparing for the Steelers, instead of looking too far ahead. He said he’s had the same approach all season.
“It really doesn’t change, honestly,” O’Connell said. “I’m just trying to prepare each day like I have been the starter. Just trying to do my best to put myself in a good position. So I’m just going to keep trying to do that.”
Then to now
O’Connell has ascended to the starting job midseason before.
Pierce inserted the 2023 fourth-round pick into the lineup as a rookie last year after being named the Raiders interim coach for the final nine games of the season. O’Connell guided the team to a 5-4 record in the stretch. He finished the season with a 62.1 completion percentage, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
“It’s somewhat similar. Obviously different in a lot of scenarios,” O’Connell said. “But similar to last year coming in kind of in the middle of the year. I’m definitely happy for the experience last year and trying to build off that.”
O’Connell has built a strong working relationship with his teammates during his time on the field. That familiarity will ease the transition as he returns under center.
“You just never know what’s going to happen,” wide receiver Jakobi Meyers said. “The more reps you get with either (quarterback) it’ll be good for the team.”
No Adams
There is one major difference between O’Connell’s stints last year and this year, of course.
He had wide receiver Davante Adams to throw to last season. At least for this week — and maybe beyond — Adams will not be on the field for the Raiders.
The 31-year-old is rehabbing a hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined the last two weeks and did not practice Wednesday. Adams has also made it clear he would prefer to be traded from the Raiders, so his future in Las Vegas is murky at best.
O’Connell also won’t have second-year tight end Michael Mayer, who is away from the team for personal reasons.
That means the weapons at O’Connell’s disposal will be rookie tight end Brock Bowers, Meyers and wide receivers Tre Tucker and DJ Turner.
“Obviously we’re missing a couple guys, but listen Aidan was with the same group (in training camp) just about five weeks ago battling,” Pierce said. “So, I don’t really see it as an issue or anything.”
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X.