Amidst Raiders miserable season, Aidan O’Connell shows leadership after game-ending fumble against Chiefs

Aidan O’Connell put up 340 yards for 2 passing touchdowns in an awful loss to Kansas City Chiefs on Friday.

Amidst Raiders miserable season, Aidan O’Connell shows leadership after game-ending fumble against Chiefs

Aidan O’Connell in action against the Kansas City Chiefs at the GEHA field at Arrowhead Stadium on 29th November, 2024 (Image via Imagn Images)

Aidan O’Connell, Las Vegas Raiders’ sophomore quarterback, took the blame for the hard 19-17 loss against division leaders Kansas City Chiefs (11-1) on Black Friday. The Raiders (2-10) are the worst-performing team in the AFC with a PCT of .167 through Week 13.

The Las Vegas Raiders came close to stunning the reigning champions following a pattern from last year when they triumphed over the Chiefs on Christmas Day. Aidan O’Connell was poised to set up a potential game-winning field-goal opportunity for Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson when a critical misstep occurred.

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Las Vegas rookie Jackson Powers-Johnson, who had transitioned to the center position earlier this month, prematurely snapped the ball on a third-down play. The ball deflected off O’Connell’s shoulder, resulting in a fumble that the Chiefs recovered, clinching their 11th victory.

The Las Vegas Raiders’ young quarterback, was drafted 135th last year, from Purdue Boilermakers following two winning seasons as the starter. The 26-year-old who was originally from Long Grove, Illinois exuberated prime leadership skills when he rose to admit his fault amid the game-losing snap.

It’s completely my fault. I was looking out to the right making sure guys were set, and I started clapping. In my head, I was thinking signal the ball to get the ball, but when I start clapping, it basically tells Jackson to snap the ball.

Aidan O’Connell said

In the post-game interview, O’Connell went on and removed Jackson Powers-Johnson from the equation. He, however, that acknowledging his role in the loss would be a tough pill to swallow.

Jackson did exactly what he should’ve done. I clapped too early. That’s just how the football bounces sometimes; it didn’t go our way. Super tough, but there’s really nobody to blame but myself. That’s probably the hardest part to swallow.

Aidan O’Connell said at the post-game interview

Earlier Powers-Johnson admitted that the team didn’t come up short but “I (he) came up short,” via Tashan Reed of the Athletic.

Should Aidan O’Connell have been QB1 for the Raiders since Week 1?

After a miserable first year as the Las Vegas Raiders rookie QB followed by an eventful preseason, the Raiders chose to plant Gardner Minshew II as the starting quarterback for the season. The latest game against the Kansas City Chiefs lauded as their best performance in this so far has fans backing up claims Aidan O’Connell should have been QB1 from the beginning.

Aidan O'Connell
Aidan O’Connell (Image via SI)

Gardner Minshew II sustained an injury during the game against the Denver Broncos, forcing Antonio Pierce to activate O’Connell from the IR. O’Connell put up 340 yards for two touchdowns with a completion rate of 65.7%. The QB was playing in his third start of the season, the first being a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6. He recorded 27-of-40 for 227 yards for a touchdown and an interception. In the following game against the Los Angeles Rams, O’Connell withdrew following an injury.

The future of the player remains unknown as the Raiders move into the second spot in the coming NFL Draft. New York Giants, who are currently first are also in need of a quarterback after parting ways with Daniel Jones. Nevertheless, Bleacher Report contends that the Raiders would take in Shedeur Sanders while the Giants would go for Cam Ward. This has likely driven the uncertainties in what lies ahead for Aidan O’Connell.

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