The Raiders will start O’Connell at quarterback when they visit the Chiefs

On November 28, 2024By Pranco

HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) – Aidan O’Connell will start at quarterback when the Las Vegas Raiders visit their AFC West rival and two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on Friday.

Raiders coach Antonio Pierce made the announcement Wednesday, saying O’Connell had made good progress after breaking his right thumb on Oct. 20 during a 20-15 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

“He was obviously called during the time he was on reserve,” Pierce said. ‘He has been to all the meetings. He was very encouraging on the sidelines. He now has that laser eye focus. Great opportunity for him.”

Gardner Minshew broke his left collarbone in a game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday and is still recovering out for the season.

The Raiders could have gone with Desmond Ridder to replace Minshew. Las Vegas signed Ridder from Arizona’s practice squad on October 21. He started 13 games for Atlanta last season, passing for 2,836 yards and 12 touchdowns with 12 interceptions.

Pierce chose O’Connell, who became a starter midway through last season and went 5-4 the rest of the way.

Minshew beat him out for the job in the preseason, but then struggled through five games.

Pierce then inserted O’Connell into the starting lineup against the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 13. O’Connell completed 27 of 40 passes for 227 yards and a touchdown with an interception in the 32-13 loss.

Then, early the following week, O’Connell was injured in Los Angeles and was placed on IR, sidelining him for at least four weeks.

The Raiders ordered him back to practice on Monday, opening a three-week window in which O’Connell could be activated. That came this week.

“He acted like a starter even when he was on IR,” Pierce said. “He did that when he was a backup. He did a great job just interacting with the players, on the sidelines, in meeting rooms. He is the one who does the talking, talks. You could just look at his eyes. You can look at his behavior.

“He wasn’t someone like, ‘Okay, I’m out for the season. I’m not going to play. No, I’ll be back. I’m ready to be back.’ And he worked his ass off to get back.”

O’Connell has a short week to prepare, which is further complicated by the fact that the Raiders don’t have full practices.

He was the last opposing quarterback to win at Arrowhead Stadium. Even though he didn’t complete a pass after the first quarter, the Raiders ran away 20-14 winners in that Christmas Day game.

Las Vegas can only offer a little bit of spoilers this week. The Raiders have lost seven straight games at 2-9 and the Chiefs are looking to become the first team to win three Super Bowls in a row.

“Let’s call it all together,” Pierce said. “The best team in football against the worst team in football. Let’s change the story, right? Let’s go outside and make it a dog fight. Let’s make it ugly. Let’s make it messy. It’s Black Friday. Let’s create a little chaos. Let’s get back to Raider football and have some fun and some personality. Let it go.”

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