Aidan O’Connell is in the deep end and is struggling to learn to swim, since replacing Jimmy Garoppolo as the starter his adaptation to being a starter in the NFl hasn’t been smooth. There have been moments and plays where he has done well but he is struggling to go through his reads, he isn’t showing that he can see the field and is taking too long in the pocket.
How to solve a problem like number 4
All of this doesn’t bode well for the Raiders as they have 4 games to try and finish above .500. While Aidan O’Connell is struggling his OC and HC need to do far more in coming up with easy plays for him to rattle off so he can build up his experience, his confidence and get some rhythm going. So far the play calling has been poor and is not playing to the QB1’s strength.
Every QB is affected by their circumstances and Aidan O’Connell is no different, while QB1 isn’t going to be able to change how he plays or become substantially better his coaches can craft a plan to help him out. Every coaching member on the Raiders are needing to show that their services must be kept on in the offseason. So far I am not seeing any adjustments, any creativity or any risks to try and get this offense going. It falls on the OC and ultimately the HC.
I know what some of you are thinking – but it’s their first time in this position, they need time, it’s a difficult situation. This is all correct but loads of people in the NFL are thrown into circumstances they are not ready for and it’s a league of survival and you need to learn how to do that fast. There are 4 games left for AP and Bo to prove they can handle the NFL right now in their current positions.
Aidan O’Connell or Jimmy G?
On Thursday night the Los Angeles Chargers face the Raiders on Thursday night football. They will be without their quarterback Justin Herbert making this very much a winnable game for Pierce and his Raiders. But following three straight losses, including that embarrassing 3-0 loss to the Minnesota Vikings where O’Connell finished the game with 171 passing yards and an interception, Pierce said they’re “still evaluating” who will be behind center Thursday night.
When Pierce took over for Josh McDaniels in Week 9, he made a change at the quarterback position, starting Aidan O’Connell in place of veteran Jimmy Garoppolo. At the time, he said the rookie provided the Raiders with the “best chance” to win.
“We’re just going through the process. I’m not going to rush to make any decision, not do anything emotional based off what I read or what anybody is telling me. I’ll go off my guy,” Pierce said.
After Sunday’s game, O’Connell said he hasn’t lost confidence in himself, but he knows he has to do better.
“I point to myself, I got to do a better job of executing in the run game, in the pass game, and making sure we have a good play going when I hike the football. You can put it on me, I got to execute better,” O’Connell said Sunday.
Replace AO4?
So the Big Question now is should Pierce replace Aiden with Jimmy G? For me it is a big NO. Despite his mistakes and lack of confidence I would stick with O’Connell. We need to cut Jimmy as soon as we can to get as much of his wages off our books. This man is made out of glass and I don’t trust him not to get injured.
I also think these games are an invaluable learning experience for Aiden and if the coaching staff pull their fingers out and can script plays that make him comfortable, allow him to get confidence and build up rhythm he can still finish the season strongly. Our team isn’t going to make the playoffs and are not good enough to win a playoff game. We have no run game with Josh Jacobs out injured. What we need to do for the last 4 games is follow in the footprint of the defense. Play hard football, come up with a game plan that works for the key players and stick to it.
Our OC and HC need to step up, make some adjustments and pick a strategy that helps the QB. This is exactly what the Broncos have done with Wilson. The point stands when your QB is limited you mitigate against those weaknesses and always play to his strengths. Currently our coaching staff is not doing that well enough.
It remains to be seen what Pierce will do moving into Thursday’s night game with the Chargers. Roll with O’Connell and finish the season strong then go into the off season and evaluate.