Why Not O’Connell?

Reasons O’Connell Deserves a Fair Shot

The Las Vegas Raiders find themselves at a crossroads as the 2025 offseason looms, with the quarterback position once again under scrutiny. After a tumultuous 2024 season, marked by a 4-13 record and inconsistent play under center, the team must decide how to move forward. While reports swirls about high-profile free agents or a top draft pick(it is lying season after all), the answer to the Raiders’ quarterback woes might already be on the roster: Rod Farva, I mean Aidan O’Connell. Here’s why the Silver and Black should hand the second-year signal-caller the starting job and build around him.

First, O’Connell has demonstrated resilience and growth in limited opportunities. In 2024, he started seven games, completing 63.4% of his passes for 1,612 yards, eight touchdowns, and just four interceptions. Compare that to his rookie year in 2023, where he went 5-5 as a starter with 2,218 yards, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. His interception rate dropped from 2.7% to 1.9%, and his passer rating climbed from 83.9 to 90.2. These improvements, despite an injury-marred season and a struggling offensive line, show a quarterback trending upward. For a team desperate for stability, O’Connell’s ability to protect the ball and make sound decisions is a foundation worth building on.

Second, O’Connell outperforms his peers on the roster. Gardner Minshew was signed to compete with O’Connell in 2024, started the season but crumbled, throwing eight interceptions in eight games and posting a dismal 27th-ranked QBR. When O’Connell took over, the offense looked more composed, even if the wins didn’t always follow. His standout performance against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 13—340 yards, two touchdowns, and no picks, highlighted his capability against elite competition. Minshew’s fondness for turnovers and inconsistent play clearly doesn’t match O’Connell’s poise. Simply put, O’Connell stands out as the best internal option.

Third, he’s a cost-effective solution in a critical offseason. O’Connell, a fourth-round pick in 2023, is on a rookie deal through 2026, with a cap hit of just over $1 million in 2025. Contrast that with Minshew’s $12.5 million cap hit or the potential cost of a veteran free agent like Sam Darnold or Russell Wilson. The Raiders face numerous roster holes, offensive line, wide receiver depth, and defensive upgrades, that require financial flexibility. Sticking with O’Connell allows General Manager John Spytek and new head coach Pete Carroll to allocate resources elsewhere, rather than sinking millions into an unproven or aging outsider.

Fourth, O’Connell’s skill set aligns with the Raiders’ emerging identity. His accuracy (consistently above 62% in his NFL career) and quick decision-making pair well with tight end Brock Bowers, who broke rookie receiving records in 2024, and wideout Jakobi Meyers, who’s drop rate was 0% last season. Unlike a gunslinger (we saw how that worked out with Minshew), who relies on deep shots, O’Connell excels as a game manager, think a young Derek Carr with far fewer risks. With a porous offensive line that allowed 47 sacks in 2024, his ability to get the ball out fast mitigates pressure. Drafting a running back like Ashton Jeanty or adding Najee Harris via free agency and a bolstered line, O’Connell could thrive in a balanced attack.

Finally, giving O’Connell the job offers clarity and continuity. The Raiders have cycled through quarterbacks Garoppolo, Minshew, Hoyer and Ridder since moving on from Derek Carr, with little success. At 26, O’Connell is young enough to be a long-term piece yet seasoned enough to lead now. His college career at Purdue, where he set records with a 71.6% completion rate in 2021, and his NFL flashes suggest untapped potential. Rather than chasing a shiny new toy in a draft class with question marks (Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward may not fall to No. 6), why not invest in the known quantity?

Critics will argue O’Connell isn’t a franchise-altering talent or that he’s not mobile enough for todays NFL. He’s not Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen. But not every team needs a superstar, look at what the Ravens did with Joe Flacco. O’Connell can be a steady hand, and with Carroll’s coaching acumen, he could exceed expectations. The Raiders should give him a real opportunity, surround him with talent, and let him prove he’s the future. The alternative, another reset, and given the urgency for a quick turnaround, is there time for that?