The Las Vegas Raiders made a fairly emphatic statement regarding their quarterback room during the 2024 NFL Draft. By not selecting a quarterback with the 13th overall pick, they committed to going forward with second-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell or free agent journeyman Gardner Minshew under center. The move, or lack thereof, was somewhat surprising given the fact that The Raiders currently have one of the best wide receivers in the game in Davante Adams.
As many fans may recall, Adams originally was traded to Las Vegas after refusing to sign his franchise tag with the Green Bay Packers. The Raiders were his preferred destination as they are located close to his family and because he wanted to play with his college quarterback, Derek Carr.
Davante Adams and Derek Carr Did Not Get a Full Season Together with the Las Vegas Raiders
For his part, Adams had a phenomenal first season in Las Vegas, hauling in 100 receptions for 1,516 yards and an NFL-leading 14 touchdowns. That was also the year that running back Josh Jacobs (who now plays for the Packers) led the NFL in rushing yards.
Unfortunately, the rest of the team did not perform as well. The Raiders went 6-11 that year and Josh McDaniels sent Carr home before the season even ended.
Carr had a 60.8% completion percentage, 3,522 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, and a passer rating of 86.3 in 15 games. Ironically, he was named to the Pro Bowl after the regular season ended.
Jarrett Stidham started the final two games of the year, throwing four touchdowns and three interceptions while going 0-2.
Last year, Jimmy Garoppolo began the year as the Raiders’ starter, going 3-3 in his six starts while throwing more interceptions (nine) than touchdowns (seven). Rookie fourth round pick Aidan O’Connell started 10 games, going 5-5 while throwing 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Davante Adams “Loves” Las Vegas Raiders Quarterback Aidan O’Connell
With Carr (New Orleans Saints) and Garoppolo (Los Angeles Rams) both no longer on the team, the Raiders have a quarterback competition this summer between O’Connell and Minshew. While Adams, of course, will play with whoever wins, he does have a preference.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN revealed on a recent episode of SportsCenter:
“O’Connell and Minshew in the spring went tit for tat; went after it. O’Connell probably has the slight edge right now based on coming into Year 2, being more vocal. I’m told he’s acting like a starting quarterback and Davante Adams loves him, which always helps certainly with the brownie points.”
Adams spent most of his career playing with one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time in Aaron Rodgers. If he “loves” O”Connell, then perhaps Las Vegas has something special on their hands.
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