Aidan O'Connell - Page 3 - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Trending toward Week 9 start The Raiders are "leaning toward" having O'Connell start Sunday's game against the Giants, a source tells Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Impact Bonsignore's report was published just over an hour after the Raiders fired head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager David Ziegler earlier Wednesday. Interim head coach Antonio Pierce will likely meet with the media later Wednesday to clarify the Raiders' plans at quarterback moving forward, but with Las Vegas sitting on a 3-5 record and not shaping up as a playoff contender, the team may be inclined to evaluate the rookie O'Connell rather than sticking with struggling veteran Jimmy Garoppolo as the team's starter. O'Connell previously drew a start Week 4 while Garoppolo was out with a concussion and also relieved Brian Hoyer for the second half of a Week 7 loss to the Bears. Between those two contests, O'Connell completed 34 of 52 pass attempts (65.4 percent) for 313 yards (6.0 yards per attempt), one touchdown and two interceptions. He also added a score on the ground.

NOVEMBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Likely backing up Hoyer on Sunday O'Connell is in line to serve as Brian Hoyer's backup this Sunday at Chicago with Jimmy Garoppolo (back) ruled out for the Week 7 contest, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact O'Connell previously got the nod for Garoppolo when the latter missed Week 4 due to a concussion, completing 24 of 39 passes for 238 yards, no touchdowns and one interception, rushing three times for three yards and a TD and fumbling three times (two lost). With Garoppolo now sidelined due to a back injury, Hoyer will get the first chance to step in after leading the Raiders to a 19-17 win against the Patriots this past Sunday. In the end, though, O'Connell is just one play away from seeing his next game action.

OCTOBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE