3 Realistic Backups Raiders Could Sign for Geno Smith After Aidan O’Connell’s Injury

The Las Vegas Raiders are looking for a veteran quarterback to replace the injured Aidan O'Connell.

3 Realistic Backups Raiders Could Sign for Geno Smith After Aidan O’Connell’s Injury

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (Image via IMAGO)

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The Las Vegas Raiders were dealt their first major setback under Pete Carroll’s regime. Aidan O’Connell, who was supposed to handle the backup duty behind starting quarterback Geno Smith, has been sidelined through injury.

O’Connell played every game for the Raiders in the preseason. Smith took the initial reps in the final prep game against the Arizona Cardinals before handing the baton to the third-year shot caller.

With just 3 completions from 4 attempts for 36 yards, the Raiders were forced to replace O’Connell after he hurt his hand. The AFC West side lost the game 30-10, but they were hit with devastating news.

The Athletic’s Tashan Reed and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Aidan O’Connell fractured his hand. He is scheduled to undergo surgery, which will keep him away from football for 6-8 weeks.

Coach Carroll confirmed the news during the post-game presser.

[Aidan] fractured his wrist. He’s hurt, and it’s gonna be a while [before he returns]… Have to get that fixed. That’s a big blow for us.

Pete Carroll said

Now the only two quarterbacks left on the Raiders roster are veteran Smith and rookie Cam Miller.

The injury happened at a horrible juncture. Carroll and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly were trying out innovative ideas to improve the level of O’Connell’s game. They came up with the idea of lowering the play clock to make him think and act faster.

What we did today is turned the clock down on him, made it a lot shorter, and made it really hard on him. We’re trying to make it as difficult as possible and turn the noise up on him, and he got a little frustrated.

Coach Caroll told the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Adam Hill

The coaching team has to put that drill on hold because they are one quarterback short. In the past, NFL teams rarely employed more than two quarterbacks; however, in the current era, some teams even prefer keeping up to four.

The Raiders must find a third quarterback within the next couple of days because the new season is just around the corner. Coach Carroll confirmed that they are actively seeking an experienced quarterback to take O’Connell’s place.

I want somebody who’s played; that’s what’s important. A guy that’s had game experience is really huge to me.

Carroll said (H/T: New York Post)

Tommy DeVito

The New York Giants went undefeated in the preseason. Tommy DeVito played a significant part in helping the G-Men win three games, especially in the Patriots game. DeVito completed 17 passes from 20 attempts for 198 yards and 3 touchdowns.

3 Realistic Backups Raiders Could Sign for Geno Smith After Aidan O’connell's Injury
Tommy DeVito (Image via IMAGO)

However, he’s buried deep in the depth chart behind Russell Wilson (starter), Jameis Winston, and rookie Jaxson Dart.

Dart gained notoriety through his eye-catching displays whenever Brian Daboll handed him the quarterback job. Winston, on the other hand, is content with being the third choice.

This leaves DeVito the odd man out. He more or less said his goodbyes to the Giants fans, who gave him a standing ovation at the final whistle.

DeVito has two years of experience under his belt. He’s only 26 years old, and he can easily connect with Geno Smith, who played backup to Russell Wilson in Seattle for a number of years.

Kenny Pickett

The Cleveland Browns, like the Giants, have four quarterbacks on their roster. Deshaun Watson is in rehab and expected to be placed on season-long injured reserve. The other quarterbacks are veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, along with rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.

3 Realistic Backups Raiders Could Sign for Geno Smith After Aidan O’connell's Injury
Kenny Pickett (Image via IMAGO)

Pickett backed up Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia last year before the Browns traded for him. He was viewed as the starting quarterback with Flacco as his main competitor while they developed the newcomers.

Flacco leaped ahead of Pickett after he sustained a hamstring injury and missed the entire preseason. The Raiders must contact the Browns and ask for their demands in return for the former Pitt and Steelers starter.

Ryan Tannehill

Ryan Tannehill is the one name that has been making the rounds on X ever since Carroll announced the Raiders were looking for an experienced NFL quarterback. The former first-round pick entered free agency during the 2024 offseason in hopes of landing with a team, but did not receive any offers.

3 Realistic Backups Raiders Could Sign for Geno Smith After Aidan O’connell's Injury
Ryan Tannehill (Image via IMAGO)

[The] Raiders coach Pete Carroll said the club will seek to acquire a veteran QB with playing experience to fill O’Connell’s role. They will look at all markets. Ryan Tannehill could be a possibility.

According to Raiders beat writer Vincent Bonsignore

Tannehill’s moment under the spotlight came when he led the Tennessee Titans to the AFC Championship game in 2020.

Mason Rudolph (Our Pick)

Another former Titans quarterback could be the perfect fit for the Raiders’ QB2 job. Mason Rudolph, who began his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, had a one-year layover in Music City before re-signing with the AFC North franchise earlier this year with hopes of being the starter.

3 Realistic Backups Raiders Could Sign for Geno Smith After Aidan O’connell's Injury
Mason Rudolph (Image via IMAGO)

However, the Steelers brought in 4x NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers and Skylar Thompson from free agency. They also drafted the 2024 CFP champion, Will Howard, as their project quarterback.

Rudolph is the QB2 at the Steelers for the moment behind Rodgers, but there’s a strong possibility that Thompson might snatch his position on the team. The Kansas State graduate looked impeccable in the preseason, racking up 400+ passing yards and 4 touchdowns in the three fixtures.

Rudolph possesses the necessary experience to back Smith up, and he’s also at the right age when quarterbacks are at the peak of their powers.

Honorable mention: Dorian Thompson-Robinson (worked with Chip Kelly at UCLA in college).

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