Raiders' AP on Aidan O'Connell Being Overlooked

Some people within Raider Nation would like for the Raiders to look for a new starter at quarterback, but Coach Antonio Pierce has faith in Aidan O'Connell.

Las Vegas Raiders Coach Antonio Pierce has made it clear that the starting quarterback position is Aidan O'Connell's to lose.

Pierce has been high on O'Connell for some time, as it was his choice to start the young quarterback as a rookie when he came to the helm after Week 8 last season. 

And that has not changed since, even though Pierce understands the desire for a new face at QB1.

"[T]his is a hell of a draft class; there's some really good free agents out there, too," Pierce said at the NFL Combine on Feb. 28. "But it's no different than after the Minnesota game. Everybody thought I should bench Aidan or do something else, and I stuck with Aidan.

"I said that Day 1, remember? I said going forward, we're going to stick with Aidan. I didn't -- I don't go back because of what everybody tells me what to do or what they think I should do.

Some within Raider Nation would like for the Las Vegas Raiders to look for a new starter at quarterback, but Coach Antonio Pierce (right) still has faith in Aidan O'Connell (left) / © Jay Biggerstaff | 2023 Dec 25

"You see the body of work each and every day. When you're around somebody, you understand them a little bit more than when people only see them on Sunday or at an appearance. I'm watching a gentleman who knows that he has a lot to work on. 

"And the first thing he did after the season was over was get his butt right back in the building. First thing he did when we got this staff was come right up there and introduce himself. That's a pro, that's a pro. 

"And it would be disrespectful for me to talk about anybody else other than Aidan. But Aidan does know there's competition, Davante Adams knows there is competition, Maxx Crosby knows there is competition. So, if you're going to do it with the quarterback, you got to do it with everybody. 

"And that's one thing about this team is that they're very competitive, they understand it's next-man-up mentality. I get the stars and all of that, but hell, we're a production-based business."

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.

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