Roster cuts are due on Sunday by 6:00 EST and one of the intriguing decisions facing the Raiders involves Aidan O’Connell.
With Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza on the roster, will the Raiders keep O’Connell as the third quarterback?
A few months ago, it didn’t look like O’Connell would be around much longer, but there are a few reasons today why he will probably still be on the roster when Sunday evening rolls around.
Fernando Mendoza isn’t ready yet
Matt Millen said it last week, and it has become increasingly clear in the last two preseason games that Mendoza needs more time to get acclimated to Klint Kubiak’s offense and playing quarterback at the NFL level, in general.
“I’m going to be completely straight with you, the young quarterback is not ready yet,” Millen said on Thursday’s pre-game show with Q Myers and Lincoln Kennedy. “You can see him making steps. Every now and then a [Dan] Marino comes around or somebody like that. Just like, ‘What the heck is he doing? He’s not supposed to do that.’ But it usually takes about three years to learn this league.”
On Saturday, The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen said the decision to start Kirk Cousins was made even before the Raiders drafted Mendoza, and if that’s the case, there’s no way the Raiders are going to risk moving up Mendoza’s timeline if Cousins goes down with an injury in the first game or two.
The decision makers in Las Vegas want to have as much control as possible over Mendoza’s timeline to get on the field, and they could potentially lose that control without O’Connell on the roster.
The Raiders could trade Cousins before the Nov. 10 trade deadline
For all the talk about O’Connell having trade value, there’s also a chance Cousins will have trade value within the next few months.
If a starting quarterback goes down on a contending team, as it seems to happen that way every year, Cousins will be one of the top veteran trade options ahead of the trade deadline.
If the Raiders don’t believe Mendoza will be ready to start by November, they won’t be in position to trade Cousins if they don’t have another quarterback on the roster.
O’Connell could be Mendoza’s long-term backup
The coaching staff seems to like O’Connell and there is still a chance he could end up being Mendoza’s long-term backup.
It has been rumored that O’Connell would like to play for a team where he has a chance to be the starter, but his best path to staying in the league might be in Las Vegas.
If O’Connell is still on the team after Sunday, don’t rule out the idea of him hanging around for another year or two as Mendoza’s backup.
x: @raidersbeat
They can trade Aiden and keep Clark. He would be cheaperand keep a player at a another position. Also it’s better to get something for him now than let him walk awaynext year and get nothing.
L. M. A. O.
I guess journalists have the memory span of a mosquito. Aidan has said that he wants to start and he deserves that opportunity somewhere that gives him a real shot. He should demand a trade.
Aiden is not starter material. They gave him a shot and he couldn’t cut the mustard. He will definitely be a top 8 back up qb. He will hang around for awhile.
Gave him a shot. That’s the most pathetically delusional response you could’ve manufactured?
You can’t even spell his name right.
I like Aiden but the guy is a backup in this league. This team isn’t going anywhere so use Aiden’s roster spot for another guy cuz if, I mean when, Cousins gets hurt, Fernando needs the reps
Too funny.
BENGALS WAIVED LB ERIC GENTRY! GET HIM!