Raiders Keep Aidan O’Connell to Insulate Fernando Mendoza

O’Connell’s inclusion on the roster will allow the Raiders to sit Mendoza until he is ready, regardless of what happens with Kirk Cousins. 

The Raiders signed Cousins in the offseason with the intention of using him as the starter until Mendoza is ready. However, the 38-year-old quarterback has suffered an Achilles and shoulder injury over the last three seasons. 

If Cousins were to get hurt, the Raiders’ entire plan could be blown up. Mendoza would be forced to start before he is ready. But with O’Connell around, the Raiders have insurance.

O’Connell is no stranger to starting in Las Vegas. He has made 17 starts in the last three seasons, with the Raiders going 7-10. He is the perfect candidate to start if Cousins gets hurt and Mendoza still needs more seasoning. 

If the Raiders are truly committed to this plan, then O’Connell should be the backup quarterback on game days. Mendoza can take all of the reps in practice as a second stringer, but until he is ready, he shouldn’t be in a position to play.

That would require the Raiders to make the first-overall pick in the draft inactive. While it may be a bad look, it is merely procedural and would guarantee Mendoza wouldn’t be forced into action before he is truly ready.

In an ideal world, O’Connell will never take another snap for the Raiders. Cousins will stay healthy and guide the team until Mendoza is deemed ready. At that point Mendoza will take over the starting job, and the Raiders hope he will hold that job for years to come. 

O’Connell is in the final year of his rookie deal. But he could end up back in Las Vegas next season. If Mendoza does take over as the starter, the Raiders likely won’t want a backup that could actually challenge Mendoza for the job. But every team wants a backup capable of playing. 

O’Connell is the perfect man for that role. No one will be clamoring for O’Connell to play over Mendoza. Throughout his career, O’Connell has proven he can step in and play.