Raiders' Aidan O'Connell to welcome competition at the QB spot in 2024
The Las Vegas Raiders ended the 2023-24 season just shy of the postseason. Their offense struggled, scoring 19 points per game, the 10th worst in the league, according to Team Rankings. Meanwhile, the defense was the side of the ball that rose to the occasion when their names were called, as they allowed just 19 […]
The Las Vegas Raiders ended the 2023-24 season just shy of the postseason. Their offense struggled, scoring 19 points per game, the 10th worst in the league, according to Team Rankings. Meanwhile, the defense was the side of the ball that rose to the occasion when their names were called, as they allowed just 19 points per game, good enough for seventh-best in the NFL.
Raiders owner Mark Davis wanted a change, so he fired Josh McDaniels midway through the season. The damage was already done to the offensive side of the ball, as the Raiders still averaged 22 points per game under interim head coach Antonio Pierce, who was hired as the head coach for the 2024 season just last week.
In Week 15 against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Raiders scored 63 points, but two touchdowns were by the defense, which still does not help the offense's case. A change needed to be made to the offensive side of the staff, so Antonio Pierce is bringing in new names entirely on that side of the ball in terms of coaching. A change at quarterback may be coming next season to help as well.
Last season, rookie quarterback Aidan O'Connell was thrust into the starting role when Pierce took over. He played fine at times but also had his fair share of mistakes, such as the bad game he played against the Miami Dolphins in Week 11, which saw him throw three interceptions. The Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day can also be mentioned, as O'Connell only did not complete a single pass after the first quarter.
The Raiders finished the season at 8-9, which means they will pick No. 13 in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. They have many options to choose from. Even if they don't do it with their first, signs are pointing toward the Raiders taking a quarterback at some point in the draft. That would mean O'Connell, who started ten games as a fourth-round rookie, will likely have some competition.
"There hasn't really been a lot of years where I have been the unquestioned starter coming in, so I'm used to competing," O'Connell said. "I had to compete to get to the spot that I am in. I also think it would be right to have competition.
"It's the NFL. It's the best of the best. It's my job to try and keep my job, and it's the people around me decision to get the best person for that job. At the end of the day, it is a business, but I just try to control what I can control."
The 2024 draft class is stacked with quarterback talent, one more reason the Raiders will likely take it in late April when the draft kicks off in Detroit, Michigan. The offensive product the Raiders are putting on the field must match the talent on the roster. The most important position in football may get upgraded this offseason to help do just that. If that happens, it would be a friendly competition for O'Connell, who embraces the idea.
Antonio Pierce to give veteran coach more prominent role on Raiders’ staff
Now the Raiders must build out their staff.
