Raiders Name Aidan O’Connell Starting QB Against Steelers
The Las Vegas Raiders have announced a change in their quarterback lineup, with Aidan O’Connell set to start against the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday, replacing Gardner Minshew.
While Minshew has made some positive plays during his tenure, his performance has been marred by turnovers. To date, he has completed 70.7% of his passes for a total of 1,014 yards, including four touchdowns, five interceptions, and one lost fumble.
“I think Gardner did a lot of really good things. He really did,” said offensive coordinator Luke Getsy during his Thursday press conference. “I think the expectations of plays, he completely understood. I think the grasp of the offense, he got it. His ability to function in and out of the huddle, I don’t think we saw those elements show up as much.”
Getsy emphasized the importance of protecting the football at the NFL level, stating, “In this game, especially in the NFL, it’s often determined by that. We just had a couple of plays that didn’t give us a chance to win. As a whole, we decided to try something different.”
Minshew and O’Connell competed during the offseason and training camp for the starting position, with Minshew’s experience ultimately securing him the role initially. Despite the rivalry, Getsy commended O’Connell for how he handled the competition, noting that the young quarterback has been continuously developing both on and off the field.
“The nice part about going through that competition during the offseason is that we all got to know each other pretty well,” Getsy shared. “The competitiveness and leadership Aidan has shown—even while not being the starter—has contributed positively. He’s been involved in game plans, which brings a comfort level for us moving forward.”
“Aidan has many traits that we saw last year, and we’re going to build on that and continue to grow. He hasn’t played a lot yet, and we expect him to keep improving every day—something we’ve already witnessed in recent weeks,” Getsy added.
O’Connell started 10 games as a rookie last year, completing 62.1% of his passes for 2,218 yards, throwing 12 touchdowns against seven interceptions. This season, he has played in two games with 19 completions on 32 attempts, totaling 176 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Expert Opinions
To provide further insights into this pivotal quarterback change, we gathered opinions from several football experts, including former NFL quarterbacks and analysts.
- Dr. Sarah Thompson, Sports Psychologist:
- Mike Johnson, Former NFL Quarterback:
- Emily Davis, Football Analyst:
“Transitioning to a new starting quarterback can be both a challenge and an opportunity for growth. It’s crucial for O’Connell to establish confidence quickly among his teammates.”
“Aidan’s experience from last year should work in his favor. He has the potential to bring a fresh perspective to the Raiders’ offense.”
“While Minshew showed promise, turnovers can be a killer. O’Connell needs to focus on making smart decisions under pressure.”
Join the Conversation
What do you think of the Raiders’ decision to start Aidan O’Connell? Will this change benefit the team as they take on the Steelers? Share your thoughts in the comments below!