While many Las Vegas Raiders fans have already turned their attention to the 2025 draft, the players still have some motivation to compete at a high level. Because of the team’s tumultuous 2-10 season, many backups are uncertain about their futures. After starting the season as a second-stringer, Aidan O’Connell has some influence over his and the team’s offseason situation.
O’Connell can show the Raiders and 31 other teams he’s a potential full-time starter in this league. Following his career performance against the Kansas City Chiefs last Friday, throwing for 340 yards and two touchdowns, he can build on that momentum for a strong finish to the campaign.
If O’Connell continues to play well, he’ll likely have a spot on the Raiders roster in 2025. He’s under contract for two more terms. Then again, O’Connell may draw interest from other quarterback-needy clubs if he puts up big numbers in the final five weeks of the season.
Remember, general manager Tom Telesco didn’t draft O’Connell. He signed Gardner Minshew to a two-year, $25 million contract. Though O’Connell has outplayed Minshew, one has to wonder if Telesco would be willing to trade the former for a good offer and then draft a quarterback in the first round. Perhaps Telesco would take an early Day 3 pick for O’Connell and retain Minshew as the primary backup behind a rookie, which would be a huge mistake.
