Raiders urged to part ways with $4M Quarterback

Sam Warren of The Athletic argued that trading O’Connell before the season makes sense on paper because Mendoza is viewed as the future, while Cousins is expected to start. However, he also acknowledged there are strong reasons for Las Vegas to keep the veteran quarterback on the roster.

“However, the Raiders are adamant about moving slowly with Mendoza, and if Cousins were to play poorly or get injured, O’Connell could provide a safety net that would keep Las Vegas from forcing the prized rookie into action before he’s ready,” Warren wrote.

With Cousins entering his age-38 season and Mendoza still developing, the Raiders have reason to value O’Connell’s experience. Warren explained that keeping O’Connell could be a smart safety plan.

If Cousins gets hurt or struggles, O’Connell can step in to play. That way, the Raiders will not have to rush Mendoza into a game before he is truly ready.

Keeping O’Connell through the season could also increase his trade value if he performs well when called upon.

Now, the Raiders must make a tough choice. They can trade O’Connell now for draft picks or keep him as an extra safety net. 

Why the Raiders may still keep Aidan O’Connell

The Las Vegas Raiders are taking their time to pick their starting quarterback for this season. They want to see how players perform during training camp first. 

Michael Canelo of SI.com states that Aidan O’Connell has really impressed the coaches, giving him a good chance to stay on the team or even start in Week 1.

“Nothing but great things have been said about him throughout his career,” Canelo noted. “He is a great teammate and a leader on the field.”

Teams around the league now highly value backup quarterbacks with real NFL experience who can play well under pressure. O’Connell has already proven he can do that. 

If the Raiders feel comfortable with Mendoza as the backup, they might trade O’Connell to a team where he has a real chance to start. 

Whether the Raiders ultimately trade O’Connell or keep him as insurance, training camp is expected to play a major role in determining his future.