Aidan O’Connell grateful for the confidence Antonio Pierce has instilled in him: “It really is a privilege”

Gardner Minshew is considered the favorite to win the quarterback competition with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Aidan O’Connell grateful for the confidence Antonio Pierce has instilled in him: “It really is a privilege”

Aidan O'Connell and Antonio Pierce (Via Sporting News/ Imago)

Regardless of how the 2023 season ended for the Las Vegas Raiders, quarterback Aidan O’Connell came through for his team in his rookie year. Of the eight wins that the Raiders recorded, five had O’Connell as the starter. 

And with the organized team activity starting on Monday, all eyes are on O’Connell to see if he succeeded in winning the quarterback competition since the Raiders brought in signal-caller Gardner Minshew in a two-year deal.

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If it wasn’t for the last four games of their 2023 season, Minshew might have given the starting job on a silver platter. 

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However, head coach Antonio Pierce feels that O’Connell has “earned” the right to the competition, and the quarterback is utterly graft for that. That’s why the 2023 rookie is set to take the first snap with the first offense during the Raiders’ practice round. 

While talking to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the 25-year-old expressed his feelings of gratitude towards Pierce. 

Since really AP started, he’s put a lot of confidence in me. He’s given me a great opportunity. I’m just trying to make the most of the opportunity. It really is a privilege and an opportunity to get to play on the team and get reps at the quarterback position.
Said O’Connell during the weekend

Even though Minshew is being considered the favorite to win the quarterback competition in Las Vegas, head coach Pierce’s confidence in O’Connell does give him an upper hand, as he has also spoken quite highly of the young QB this offseason. 

Aidan O’Connell on navigating the highs and lows of quarterback battles

During the Raiders event on Sunday, as O’Connell talked about being grateful to new head coach Pierce for giving him a chance, he also opened up about the high pressure of the QB competition and how he copes with it, as it’s for the most significant position in the offense. 

Aidan O'Connell
Aidan O’Connell (via Bleacher Report)
It's hard, I still haven't figured that out. That's not unique to me but that's a challenge that's going to be ongoing in my career.
Said O’Connell

The Raiders 2023 signal caller further shared that he knows he can’t be perfect all the time, and he often reminds himself of that. So to have a balance in taking on the tough job, but at the same time, enjoy each challenge that comes with it. 

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