Raiders' Antonio Pierce thinks Aidan O'Connell deserves the right to compete for the starting QB spot
The Las Vegas Raiders are in the market for a new quarterback, even though they now have two on the roster who were not with the team two years ago. Aidan O'Connell was a rookie last season and stepped in when everything changed. He was fine, but he definitely had some moments that showed he […]
The Las Vegas Raiders are in the market for a new quarterback, even though they now have two on the roster who were not with the team two years ago. Aidan O'Connell was a rookie last season and stepped in when everything changed. He was fine, but he definitely had some moments that showed he isn't quite ready to be the franchise guy, and he may never be. That is still something we have to wait and see.
Then, this offseason, the Raiders attacked the position aggressively in free agency, getting the best backup they could possibly get in Gardner Minshew, who started almost all of last season for the Indianapolis Colts. Depending on how training camp goes, Minshew could even start for the Raiders, which is also something we will have to wait and see.
But it's very obvious they could still draft a quarterback, as they sit at pick No. 13 in the 2024 NFL Draft. Head coach Antonio Pierce recently talked about that.
"Well, you know you can't have two quarterbacks on the roster, right? So, we know we have to add some," Pierce said to NFL Network's Steve Wyche at the Annual League Meeting. "I got Tom Telesco in there. Got the magician. 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. I think he's seen it wherever he's been. Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck, becomes a GM with the Chargers, Philip Rivers, Justin Herbert. So, he knows something about quarterbacks. So I'm going to let him figure it out."
This draft is super deep at quarterback, but only the top few picks have a chance at getting a guy who can change a franchise, and it seems that's what a lot of teams need, including the Raiders. If they really want one of those top guys, they may have to trade up; if not, they can settle at 13.
Or, they can live with Aidan O'Connell, whom Pierce thinks deserves a chance to compete for the starting spot.
"At the end of the day, listen, Aidan O'Connell played his ass off. He did a helluva job for us," Pierce said. "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. Being honest with you because he's earned that right."
Antonio Pierce loves O'Connell, as he was the guy he chose when things weren't going well when Pierce took over as interim head coach. I fully anticipate the Raiders drafting a quarterback and having all three guys battle for that starting spot. May the best man win.
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The Raiders have a tough decision to make.
