The O'Connell thread - love him or hate him or indifferent, put it in here

[KillerRaider30]

Looks ripped and ready!

Aidan walking into the facility yesterday

[chucker]

I think the only way that O'Connell makes the team is if he takes a minimum level contract. Someone mentioned getting a 4 rounder for him, and that's just a pipe dream IMO. You could possibly trade him for a conditional draft pick but nobody is giving a 4th.

[Raider_Dave]

And that article is almost a year old. None of that is accurate now.

The point is people are thinking in a vacuum. They act as if every team has some superstar waiting in the wings as a backup. Yes, AOC sucks when compared to Mahomes, Allan, Stafford and other starters, but throw him into a list of backups and he's basically middle of the pack.

[Attyla]

The point is people are thinking in a vacuum. They act as if every team has some superstar waiting in the wings as a backup. Yes, AOC sucks when compared to Mahomes, Allan, Stafford and other starters, but throw him into a list of backups and he's basically middle of the pack.

Who is comparing O'Connell to Mahomes, Allen or Stafford. I don't see anyone doing that. O'Connell will be the third string QB and rightfully so, if he makes the team. A third stringer who makes 3.8M is not a good move for any team. I don't want to be the team that pays the third string QB the most in the league, just like I don't think the Cowboys were making the best move when they made their kicker the highest paid in the league. I want to pay those guys middle to lower middle rates.

We need to make moves that successful teams make in this regard. Pay the talent that plays high and pay ST guys and bench warmers low. And the argument that it is "not my money" is not going to fly. The business aspect of the NFL matters

[raidersince63]

I seriously doubt if AOC gets $3 Mil from anyone this year. He has options, so do the Raiders...and the Raiders hold all of the cards.

[mstrbass2000]

I seriously doubt if AOC gets $3 Mil from anyone this year. He has options, so do the Raiders...and the Raiders hold all of the cards.

we freed up 4.1 million yesterday in teh trade of tyree, we can get some more off by getting rid of aoc

[Xramfan]

I’d guess this will begin fading down the page after Thursday night

That was a miss lol

[chucker]

Pola Mao, Booker, Meredith and O'Connell are all guys who will have to prove they have roles and add value over cheaper options because cutting any one of them will save $3.5+ million.

[Reno Hightower]

Pola Mao, Booker, Meredith and O'Connell are all guys who will have to prove they have roles and add value over cheaper options because cutting any one of them will save $3.5+ million.

Nice post. In the salary cap era fans often overlook the importance of making every dollar count. In aerodynamics there is a term called "pinpoint drag." The idea being that the sum total of even the smallest flaw will compound and erode performance. The same applies to the money invested to players such as AOC and their "drag" on a team's cap number. If a team can move on from a player like Josh Jacob's because the numbers don't add then the same applies to the lower tier earners, maybe even more so.

Effective Salary Cap management is such a critical factor that governs a team's success or failure. Al really never grasped that.

[raidersince63]

we freed up 4.1 million yesterday in teh trade of tyree, we can get some more off by getting rid of aoc

Sigh... I am quite aware of that, read again.

...one more time, the Raiders are not obligated to pay AOC $3+Mil this year and neither does any other team if he goes elsewhere. The Raiders do not have to "get rid of him" in order to achieve this.

[RickRyb]

NFL.com - Nick Shook
Ranking Rookie QB 1st Contract

Fernando Mendoza #10
It's time for projection season! Mendoza earned his place as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft with some truly incredible performances in his lone season at Indiana, winning the Heisman Trophy and the College Football Playoff National Championship with a collection of courageous, clutch showings, captured perfectly by his pivotal fourth-down touchdown run in the title game. Those attributes should help him plenty at the next level. Just don't expect to see him show them off right away. Las Vegas is going about this properly, having signed Kirk Cousins as the veteran bridge to help guide Mendoza and lessen the pressure on the rookie. Whenever Mendoza sees the field, we can begin our evaluation. For now, the Raiders got themselves their hopeful answer at the position, someone who offers enough promise to slot him here on this list, above QBs with an actual NFL track record.


Aiden O'Connell #12
O'Connell has successfully carved out what will be a long career spent as a trusty backup in the NFL. As of now, that includes a rookie contract that is scheduled to account for just $3.8 million in cap space for the Raiders in 2026, a number low enough to afford them the opportunity to sign Cousins and build out a strong three-man quarterback room. Whether his future exists in Las Vegas or elsewhere, O'Connell will continue to cash checks for years to come, and they'll always be affordable. And when a team is in a pinch, it can toss the former Purdue Boilermaker out there and know he can keep the ship afloat.

[mstrbass2000]

i wonder how fast aoc would get work, if the raiders cut him ???...good character guy with some talent

[Dr Death]

i wonder how fast aoc would get work, if the raiders cut him ???...good character guy with some talent

Someone would pick him up for sure. I can't say I'll be upset when he's gone but, I like the kid. I wish him the best wherever he goes... except against us... if it were to happen.

[GoodTimeCharlie]

Aidan James O'Connell Is a backup quarterback in the National Football League for the Las Vegas Raiders.

*To be honest, I think I always typed “Aiden”. How many arguing his merits knew that shit was “Aidan”?

[BoKnows81]

Aidan James O'Connell Is a 3rd string quarterback in the National Football League for the Las Vegas Raiders.

*To be honest, I think I always typed “Aiden”. How many arguing his merits knew that shit was “Aidan”?

Fixed.

[GoodTimeCharlie]

Fixed.

As inconsequential as all the other words devoted to him. Somebody needs to give that man a “JAG” cap.