Four seasons, four head coaches, seven playcallers for Aidan O’Connell, who prepares for the 2026 campaign with the only goal he’s ever had.
Said the Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Tuesday morning after the first day of mandatory minicamp: “Find my way in the (NFL) and hopefully be a long-time starter. That’s what I’m working for. It’s what I’m trying to do.”
O’Connell might be caught in the crossfire of a quarterback battle he’s not destined to win between 15th-year passer (and likely Week 1 starter) Kirk Cousins and No. 1 draft pick Fernando Mendoza. But the former starter and steadfast backup hasn’t relinquished his will to compete and vie for a job as a starter behind center.
Be it in Las Vegas or somewhere else.
“Who knows what will happen?” O’Connell pondered rhetorically inside Intermountain Health Performance Center, his thickened mustache framing his fervor.
”Who knows where it’ll be? But that’s the goal.”
A walk-on turned starting Purdue quarterback turned fourth-round draft pick in 2023 — thanks to former Raiders coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler — O’Connell has been hardened by competition he’s faced throughout his football career. Hence the steely, determined approach that complements his affable demeanor, on display at the news conference podium at which he spoke for nearly minutes.
That after handling second-team reps throughout the two-plus hour practice.
Explained O’Connell, 27 and turning 28 in September: “I’ve been competing basically every year since I was in high school, and so it’s really nothing new to me. Obviously, it’s new people, it’s a new playbook, but besides that, it’s still competing, trying to put your best foot forward every day, and quite literally, the only thing I can do is do my best. And so, just trying to focus on that, be a great teammate, and let it play out how it will.”
O’Connell has 17 starts (and 21 games played) to his credit — under McDaniels and former Raiders coach Antonio Pierce — and has proved a viable plug-and-play option throughout his three-plus year career. His 3,932 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and 7-10 record are underscored by a Christmas Day win in 2023 over the Super Bowl winning Kansas City Chiefs.
Cousins in some ways relates to O’Connell as a former Big Ten standout (Michigan State) and fourth-round pick whose career hadn’t crystallized through his first three seasons with the Washington Commanders. A 2-7 record and 14 games played preceded a breakout campaign for Cousins, who started his fourth season — and 142 games since.
“I really believe strongly that Aidan’s best football in this league is ahead of him,” Cousins, a four-time Pro Bowler, said, highlighting the merit of his fourth pro season. ”There’s a lot about Aidan O’Connell where I say, ‘Why can’t this guy have a long, successful career in this league?’ Like, I’m just seeing all the traits that you have to have to be a great player in this league. So, I think he’s got a bright future and his best football’s ahead of him.”
For now and as long he’s a Raider, O’Connell is committed to mastering the system first-year head coach Klint Kubiak has spent the offseason installing in Las Vegas. It bears some traits, O’Connell said, of the offense he ran in his second season, organized by former offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.
Like McDaniels in O’Connell’s rookie year, fired and replaced by Bo Hardegree as playcaller, Getsy didn’t finish the season, ceding playcalling to Scott Turner. Chip Kelly started last season as former coach Pete Carroll’s offensive coordinator, only too to be relieved midseason in favor of Greg Olson.
Another head coach, another playcaller, another chance to compete for O’Connell.
“You got to produce in the NFL,” he said. “And so, besides my wife and my parents, no one’s really going to feel bad for me. So, try to go out there and compete, no matter who’s calling plays or who’s out there.”
Contact Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon on X.
