O'Connell's Teammates Making Life Easier for the Rookie

The Las Vegas Raiders' offense has had an up-and-down season. Rookie quarterback Aidan O'Connell is surrounded by veteran leadership and a defense that is playing well.

As the one player on the field who touches the ball more than any other player, the quarterback is arguably the most talked about in football. 

The Las Vegas Raiders' quarterback situation has been no different. 

For rookie quarterback Aidan O'Connell, the added attention and expectations that come with starting at quarterback in the National Football League as a rookie is a part of the job. The fact that he has dependable teammates who continue to help bring him along has been imperative. 

Veterans surround O'Connell at most of the positions on offense, and they've been supported by a defense that has played excellent most of the season. 

Both allow for the rookie to grow organically, whether he has a good game like he did against the Kansas City Chiefs at home or a bad game like he did on the road against the Chiefs. 

“I think it's because it's a team game," O'Connell said. "I'm really happy I don't play an individual sport. I wouldn't do very well. And so, to have guys to rely on, I think, is a beautiful part of the sport we play."

O'Connell says while the defense has been the heart of the team this season, it is always his and the offense's goal to score as many points as possible instead of relying so heavily on the defense.

"Obviously, we want to win every game by a lot of points," O'Connell said. "There have been times this year where all three phases have had to step up. And so, yeah, I think just the confidence that the guys around me give me, I think is huge. They understand how hard it is and what it takes to move the ball down the field as an entire offense.

The Las Vegas Raiders inserted a rookie at the most important position on the field. Aidan O'Connell's teammates continue to rally around him / © Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

"So, as we're maybe stalling in the game like that, I think the guys stay confident; we understand that it's not just about the last possession. You have to look at the big picture and try to execute as much as possible.

“We don't go into a game thinking our defense is going to bail us out here or there, and obviously, they have. They've done an awesome job of that, and we're confident they're going to do that because they've shown it. But we want to perform as best we can individually and collectively as different units on the offense."

The rookie credits his coaches and teammates for helping him succeed and making it through games where the offense struggles. 

"I think there's a lot of factors that go into it," O'Connell said. "I think for the most part, though, I have great coaches around me, great players around me, who really help me try to be the best player I can be.

"And then, as a group, I think we want to challenge ourselves to score as many points as possible, but also be as efficient as possible and make good decisions with everything we do. And so, like I keep saying, it's a team sport. You've got to rely on each other sometimes, and that's what we've been doing.” 

When the Raiders made the quarterback switch to O'Connell, they knew it would come up with a few bumps in the road. That is expected from a rookie playing quarterback in the National Football League. 

The Silver and Black continue the season on New Year's Eve versus the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Don't miss it on Sunday, December 31, at 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST.

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