Raiders' O'Connell Not Given Credit He Deserves Despite Admirable Finish to Rookie Season

It seems some have counted out Las Vegas Raiders second-year quarterback Aidan O'Connell before training camp even starts.

Las Vegas Raiders QB Aidan O'Connell / Darrell Craig Harris, Sports Illustrated

Aidan O'Connell is entering the most important training camp of his young NFL career yet.

The second-year Las Vegas Raiders quarterback will be looking to retain his job as the team's starting quarterback, and if he gets it, he will have the demanding task of keeping it.

O'Connell did enough to earn the right to be in the discussion, leading the Silver and Black to a 5-4 record down the stretch last season while defeating all three of the Raiders' division rivals, including the Kansas City Chiefs.

Even so, O'Connell continues to be counted out.

In BucsGameday's River Wells' recent ranking of all 32 starting quarterbacks, O'Connell wasn't even listed. His quarterback competitor Gardner Minshew II was assumed to be the starter and was ranked No. 23.

Here's what's funny: O'Connell beat two of the quarterbacks on the list: Patrick Mahomes (No. 1) and Daniel Jones (No. 31). The Raiders, as a whole, defeated four of them: Mahomes, Jones, Russell Wilson and Jordan Love.

O'Connell finished his rookie campaign with 2,218 yards and 12 touchdowns on 213 completions in 12 games, throwing just seven interceptions.

Sure, O'Connell didn't set the world on fire, but he didn't do anything not to deserve a spot, either. After all, there are five quarterbacks on this list who have yet to even play a down in the NFL.

And why the assumption that Minshew starts? Antonio Pierce and Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams have said that it's O'Connell's job to lose. That's coming directly from the TEAM.

This is a perfect example of why offseason rankings can't be taken too seriously.

Minshew still has a strong case to be the Raiders' starting quarterback next season, as he has proven in the past that he can be a reliable backup option who can step up when called upon to be a starter.

Here was what Wells had to say about the new Raider quarterback:

"Gardner Minshew is just solid as a starter, and while he's relatively inoffensive, his ability to win games when straits are dire simply isn't there. He'll work well for the Raiders while they look for his replacement, but don't expect him to will them to the playoffs."

Ensure you follow on X (Twitter) @HondoCarpenter and IG @HondoSr and never miss another breaking news story again.

Please let us know your thoughts when you like our Facebook page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.