The Las Vegas Raiders may soon find themselves in a position where moving on from third-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell makes too much sense to ignore. According to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, one potential suitor could be none other than the New England Patriots, now featuring former Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels as their offensive coordinator.
Volin pointed out that the Patriots’ current backup, Joshua Dobbs, has looked shaky this offseason, throwing two pick-sixes in the team’s first joint practice against the Minnesota Vikings. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel didn’t hide his frustration, saying, “Josh just has to be more consistent.”
Volin suggested that O’Connell, who was originally drafted by McDaniels in 2023, could be an intriguing trade target for New England. “Considering Dobbs doesn’t have any prior experience with Josh McDaniels, and his 2025 salary is $1.7 million, I don’t know if he’s a lock yet as the Patriots’ backup,” Volin wrote. “One name to watch is Aidan O’Connell, who appears to be losing out on the Raiders’ backup job to rookie sixth-round pick Cam Miller.”
With O’Connell struggling to impress in camp and Miller flashing promise, the Raiders could see value in flipping their former fourth-round pick into draft capital while giving him a fresh start in a familiar offense.
Why the Raiders Should Trade Aidan O’Connell
There’s no question that O’Connell has shown flashes of potential during his time in Las Vegas. But under new head coach Pete Carroll, those glimpses have been overshadowed by inconsistency. After the Raiders’ preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers, Carroll didn’t mince words when evaluating his quarterback:
“I thought Aidan continued to [make us] a little bit slower — we’re not quite as fast when he’s playing,” Carroll said. “We don’t play as quick from huddle to the snap, still trying to work that out. And he made a poor choice on the throw for the pick, unfortunately. It was a crucial time, that was tough. Just the guy was covered, and if he had to throw it away or take off, we would have preferred that.”
That type of frustration from the head coach isn’t a good sign for O’Connell’s long-term prospects with the team. Meanwhile, Miller has impressed with his poise, quick decision-making, and athletic abilities. If he’s already making the case to be the backup quarterback behind Geno Smith, O’Connell is quickly becoming expendable.
By trading him now, Las Vegas could at least recoup some draft capital. O’Connell is owed just $2.175 million over the next two years with no guaranteed money, making him a low-risk addition for a team like the Patriots, who believe they can bring out the best in him and have a need at backup QB.
A Reunion That Makes Sense
GettyNew England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and quarterback Joshua Dobbs.
For the Patriots, acquiring O’Connell would provide a clean fit. McDaniels knows his strengths better than anyone, and it gives O’Connell the fresh start he needs.
For the Raiders, it’s simple. O’Connell’s time as a Raider seems to be coming to an end, so why not try to recoup some draft capital for him, even if it’s a Day 3 pick? With a franchise shifting toward a younger, faster offensive approach under Carroll, O’Connell no longer looks and fits the game plan.
Ultimately, this is one of those trade ideas that benefits all parties involved. New England would get a quarterback with system familiarity, O’Connell would get a fresh start under the coach who drafted him, and Las Vegas would gain some draft capital to continue rebuilding the roster.
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