Aidan OâConnell had an unspectacular start to the NFL preseason, completing 18-of-30 passes for 205 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in the Las Vegas Raidersâ 23-23 tie with the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday.
OâConnell, a 2023 fourth-round pick from Purdue, is slated to be the backup to Geno Smith. Still, given how much he played, itâs fair to wonder how secure his role really is.
Quarterbacks with starting experience are always of some interest, and the Raiders could’ve been showcasing O’Connell to other teams by playing as much as they did.
Justin Melo of Raiders Wire suggested Las Vegas could look to deal OâConnell to a team like the Tennessee Titans.
âThe Titansâ backup quarterbacks were abysmal in their preseason opener,â Melo wrote. âPlaying behind No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward, Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle combined to throw three interceptions.
âBoyle was especially terrible, throwing a pick-six while completing just 4-of-13 passing attempts.â
Interestingly, Melo also noted that former Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler, who was responsible for drafting OâConnell, is now the Titansâ assistant general manager.
Rookie QB Was Impressive in Preseason Debut
Melo believes rookie Cam Miller has narrowed the gap on OâConnell after his impressive preseason debut. The sixth-rounder (215th overall) from North Dakota State was 6-of-7 for 76 yards passing and one touchdown, a 41-yard strike to Shedrick Jackson in the fourth quarter.
Miller also went 3-for-4 for 31 yards on a potentially game-winning drive, which stalled when Daniel Carlsonâs 55-yard field goal attempt was blocked.
Smith praised Miller postgame.
âNow I feel like he can really get better,â Smith said via the teamâs website. âBecause heâs gotten game experience and he can go and watch that film.â
The 24-year-old Miller had a tremendous college career, leading North Dakota State to FCS national titles in 2021 and 2024. His 45 career wins rank third in FCS history. He set school records for total offensive yards (11,998), completion percentage (.694), passing completions (759) and yards (9,721).
Titans’ Top Pick Expected to Start
The Titansâ quarterback picture was complicated when Will Levis, who went 5-16 as a starter over his first two seasons, underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in July. Levis was expected to compete with Ward, the No. 1 overall pick out of Miami, for the starting job in Tennessee.
Tennessee also brought in Allen, who spent three seasons with head coach Brian Callahan when the two were with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Boyle was waived on Monday. In a corresponding move, the Titans signed veteran Trevor Siemian, who shuffled between the teamâs active roster and practice squad last season. Siemianâs last regular-season experience came in 2023 with the New York Jets, when appeared in five games (three starts) and threw for 724 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions.
The Titans began the preseason Saturday with a 29-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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