Aidan O’Connell has accomplished more than the average fourth-round quarterback, but that might not save him from the trade block. Selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Purdue product began his career as a backup but quickly earned the starting job following the firing of former head coach Josh McDaniels. While he didn’t set the world on fire, he has a reasonably solid campaign given the circumstances. Starting in 10 games while making 11 appearances, the quarterback finished his inaugural campaign with a 5-5 record while completing 62.1% of his passes for 2,218 yards, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
The Raiders added journeyman Gardner Minshew as competition in 2024, and Aidan O’Connell ultimately made seven starts in his sophomore season. He posted similar efficiency, completing 63.4 of his passes for 1,612 yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions. He then spent the 2025 season as Geno Smith’s clear backup and only appeared in one game.
Aidan O’Connell is not a franchise quarterback, but the past few seasons proved he can be one of the league’s better backups. However, he has no clear path to the field and is entering the final season of his rookie contract. With no clear need for him on the roster, the Raiders could trade him for a late-round pick to a quarterback-needy team.
Raiders Could Trade Aidan O’Connell After QB Additions
Quarterback is the most important position in football, and everyone would love a player who could keep the ship afloat if something happens to the starter. Nobody wants Aidan O’Connell to start 17 games for them, but he’d be more than capable of starting if he needed to fill in for a few games. This makes him a fairly valuable asset on the open market, but his contract status means the Raiders probably wouldn’t get more than a late-round pick for his services.
Normally, teams would rather hold on to players like Aidan O’Connell than trade them for next to nothing. However, the additions of free agent Kirk Cousins and first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza have made the three-year veteran expendable. Cousins is not the player he once was, but he proved he can still be an adequate short-term starter if needed. Mendoza, meanwhile, is the future of the organization and will be starting sooner rather than later.
Possible Fits
Looking around the league, the New York Jets could have some interest in Aidan O’Connell. The team finished the 2025 season with the second-overall pick in a one-quarterback class and thus could not land a potential franchise savior. With no better option, the team reunited with old friend Geno Smith. Smith is a fine short-term starter, but the Jets have no clear Plan B at the position. With Justin Fields now in Kansas City, the Jets should consider reuniting Smith with O’Connell for the 2026 season.
