The Las Vegas Raiders are turning a new page this offseason, and that could include cutting quarterback Aidan O’Connell.
The Raiders are doing their homework on more than just Fernando Mendoza at the quarterback position. Las Vegas met with Texas Tech QB Behren Morton over Zoom.
“I’m excited for the opportunity,” Morton said. “It’s going to be a very special experience for me. I’m going to maximize every opportunity that comes my way.”
Las Vegas is exploring all avenues when it comes to the quarterback position, and the reality for O’Connell is that his time is running out in a Raiders’ uniform.
Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell Faces a Bleak Future With News Check Ahead of Draft
GettyBehren Morton #2 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders passes the ball during the second half of the game against the BYU Cougars.
O’Connell would be the team’s QB3 with Mendoza (presumably drafted at No. 1) and Kirk Cousins on the roster. But the sense is that Las Vegas is also looking to bring in a rookie QB to compete with O’Connell for that final QB spot.
O’Connell has had an up-and-down tenure with the Raiders, appearing in 21 games, throwing for 3,932 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions with a 62% completion percentage.
Here’s the thing. Las Vegas, having him for three seasons, knows what to expect, and it’s not good enough. The Raiders will now have Mendoza and Cousins, who should be a considerable upgrade over recent QBs like Geno Smith, Gardner Minshew, and O’Connell. It’s time to let him go and give another young quarterback a chance to potentially become the QB2 of the future once Cousins is gone.
Don’t Mess Up the Opportunity With Fernando Mendoza
The Raiders have a golden opportunity to land a franchise QB with the drafting of Mendoza, and general manager John Spytek knows the importance of not rushing anything with a rookie QB.
“To think that you’re just going to take a young quarterback anywhere and start him Week 1 and it’s going to go great, is naive,” Spytek said. “You’re not doing the kid any favors at all. I think more organizations failed those kids than those kids failed the organizations. And so whoever we [have] at the quarterback spot, it takes the whole building to support them, because they have such a hard job. And we’ve got to be patient with young players in general.”
That’s why Spytek went out and signed Cousins, who’s expected to be the starting QB Week 1. But according to Cousins, he wants the Raiders to start the best quarterback, even if that’s not him.
“If that’s not me, I don’t want to be out there,” Cousins said. “I don’t think that’s the best thing for the team. If I am the best option, then I believe it’s important that those guys are out there. …But I’m excited to get the chance to lead, help influence in the locker room, do my part and most importantly, help our team win.”
Cousins also said that regardless of what happens, it would be a privilege to be on the same team as Mendoza.
“At his stage, he’s much ahead of me,” Cousins added.
Making the most out of new opportunities. That’s what Cousins plans on doing. That’s what Mendoza plans on doing. And that could be what Aidan O’Connell will plan on doing if he were to play with a new squad in 2026.
Raiders QB Faces a Bleak Future With News Check Ahead of Draft