Ex-Raiders HC Josh McDaniels reportedly sabotaged rookie QB Aidan O’Connell after Jimmy Garoppolo’s injury

Aidan O'Connell made his NFL debut against the Los Angeles Chargers in week 4.

Ex-Raiders HC Josh McDaniels reportedly sabotaged rookie QB Aidan O’Connell after Jimmy Garoppolo’s injury

Aidan O'Connell (L - via ESPN) and Josh McDaniels (R - via NFL.com)

The Las Vegas Raiders have had a rollercoaster season so far. They started the season with a win in their first game against the Denver Broncos. Since then, it went downhill pretty quickly. The Raiders fired their head coach, Josh McDaniels, and the GM David Ziegler on the same day last week. Following that, their starting QB Jimmy Garoppolo was benched in favor of backup rookie QB Aidan O’Connell.

McDaniels’ tenure as the Raiders’ head coach did not go according to plan as he was constantly criticized for his decisions. The former New England Patriots OC lost the locker room this season as several players were visibly frustrated with the team’s poor performances. McDaniels reportedly did not adjust his offense to O’Connell’s playing style. The rookie QB replaced an injured Garoppolo in week 4.

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SI’s Hondo Carpenter reported that:

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When rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell started in a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers after Jimmy Garoppolo was injured, seeds of frustration started to germinate when McDaniels did nothing to alter or change his ‘system’ for the talented youngster. Internally, McDaniels explained that it was “the way to learn” his complicated offense, but many questioned it.

McDaniels was replaced by the team’s LB coach Antonio Pierce and the interim HC has led the Raiders to two wins in as many games. O’Connell will be the team’s QB going forward and the Raiders seem to be in the right direction. They will play their next game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

Davante Adams has high praise for Raiders’ rookie QB Aidan O’Connell

The Las Vegas Raiders have won both their games since firing head coach Josh McDaniels. They have benched their offseason signing, Jimmy Garoppolo, and replaced him with rookie Aidan O’Connell. The QB has led the team to two wins and seems to be the obvious QB choice going forward. Raiders’ star WR Davante Adams had high praise for his rookie QB.

Aidan O'Connell and Davante Adams
Aidan O’Connell (L – via Sports Illustrated) and Davante Adams (R – via Sports Illustrated)

Adams said after the Raiders’ latest win against the New York Jets:

He’s [Aidan] as cool as the other side of the pillow. Dude is not a rookie. By years he is, but by action you don’t see that often from a rookie quarterback.

The Raiders won their week 10 game against the Jets, 16-12. O’Connell finished the game with 153 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Adams himself had a good game with six receptions for 86 yards.

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