The Las Vegas Raiders are winning again. And the more wins they get, the more respect rookie quarterback Aidan O'Connell is earning from his teammates, including wide receiver Davante Adams, who was all praises of the first-year NFL signal-caller following their 16-12 win over the New York Jets at home Sunday night.
“He's not a rookie,” Adams said about O'Connell after the Raiders' Week 10 win, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). “By years he is, but by actions and the poise in those types of situations, you don't see that often by a rookie quarterback. The way he commands the huddle, the way he talks to us, the communication, the confidence … I'm glad he's our guy.”
Aidan O'Connell showing promise as Raiders starter
That must sound like sweet music for O'Connell, who did not have a spectacular performance against the Jets but was steady enough to keep Las Vegas' head above water. He finished with 153 passing yards and a touchdown on 16-for-27 completions. He commandered a five-play drive in the fourth quarter that ended in a tie-breaking touchdown toss to fellow rookie and tight end Michael Mayer which turned out to be the game-winning score of the contest.
O'Connell, selected in the fourth round (135th overall) by Las Vegas in the 2023 NFL Draft, is now 2-1 in three starts so far in the 2023 NFL campaign, with both wins coming over his last two starts — and since the firing of Josh McDaniels. He can be expected to continue starting for the Raiders, who have seemingly moved on from the idea of Jimmy Garoppolo as starter.
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