If Jimmy G’s out for a while, here’s the guy Raiders should go with to solve QB dilemma
If the Las Vegas Raiders are to have continued success approaching the midway point of the 2023 NFL season, they should turn now to rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell.
The Raiders defeated the New England Patriots 21-17 on Sunday, highlighted by Maxx Crosby and Bilal Nichols combining to sack Mac Jones in the end zone with 1:47 remaining.
Las Vegas, 3-3 after a 1-3 start to the new season, won despite starter Jimmy Garoppolo leaving the game because of a back injury he suffered just before halftime. The severity of the injury wasn’t clear, even after the game, but Garoppolo did go to the hospital.
Backup QB Brian Hoyer got to see playing time because of Jimmy G’s injury and completed 6 of 10 for 102 yards. O’Connell was inactive, available only as the emergency QB if Hoyer were to get injured against the Patriots.
That didn’t happen, but going forward Raiders coach Josh McDaniels should turn to O’Connell at least until Jimmy G is healthy.
Why?
O’Connell can throw the ball down the field. That’s not to say Hoyer is lacking in that area. In fact, he did it Sunday on a 48-yard pass down the middle to Tre Truck to the New England 21-yard line.
McDaniels wasn’t in a hurry to say who will be the quarterback, if Jimmy G is unavailable.
“I’m open for a healthy quarterback,” McDaniels said. “Thought Jimmy was doing some good things before he got twisted or hit there. We’ll just patiently see kind of what this is going to be and then we’ll make the decision.”
Jimmy G has eight completions of at least 20 yards and none that went 40. Hoyer is the only Raiders QB that has thrown at least 40 yards, but as a starter he is 0-9 since 2017.
So while it made sense to have Hoyer as Garoppolo’s backup in case of a mid-game injury, why not give O’Connell a chance to see if he is the better long-term answer if Jimmy G misses substantial time?
Let’s see what O’Connell can do with weapons at his disposal such as Josh Jacobs, Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers and tight end Michael Mayer, who had five receptions for 75 yards.
In the lone game O’Connell played, against the Los Angeles Chargers, he showed poise. Yes, he made mistakes, but he also showed off his ability to throw the ball deep on several occasions.
In that game, he finished with 239 yards passing and an interception.
Latest on Jimmy G
In an update on Monday, McDaniels said they “dodged a big bullet” because they feared an internal injury.
“The prognosis is a lot better than it might otherwise have been,” he said.
Jimmy G’s status is unclear for this week.
Fans want to see more of O’Connell
Raider Nation would like to see O’Connell if Jimmy G is unavailable.
He’s a popular choice among fans.
The Raiders hit the road next and will face the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
It’s likely McDaniels will not make a decision, possibly until Friday.
This story was originally published October 16, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
