The Las Vegas Raiders are preparing to place quarterback Aidan O’Connell back in the starting role for their highly anticipated Black Friday clash against the Kansas City Chiefs.
According to NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero, barring any setbacks, O’Connell is expected to lead the offense after recovering from a thumb injury that sidelined him since Week 7.
O’Connell’s return comes at a pivotal moment for the Raiders, who face mounting challenges this season. The decision to start the second-year quarterback was accelerated by Gardner Minshew’s season-ending collarbone injury sustained during Sunday’s loss to the Denver Broncos. With Desmond Ridder serving as the backup, the Raiders have placed their trust in O’Connell to navigate their offense against a dominant Chiefs defense.
The road back to the starting lineup has been a winding one for O’Connell. After losing the starting job to Minshew during training camp, the Purdue product was given a second chance in Week 6 when interim head coach Antonio Pierce opted for a change at quarterback. Unfortunately, O’Connell’s opportunity was cut short when he broke his thumb midway through his second start. Now fully recovered and back at practice, he’s ready to take the reins once again.
As a rookie, O’Connell started 10 games for the Raiders, posting a 5-5 record. While he showed promise with his ability to manage the offense and execute short throws, his lack of a deep-passing game often left the team’s attack feeling constrained. Preseason improvements this year hinted at growth, but it wasn’t enough to earn him the starting nod for Week 1.
O’Connell is no stranger to facing the Chiefs. In last season’s Week 16 matchup on Christmas Day, he led the Raiders to an upset victory over Kansas City. Despite completing just 9 of 21 passes for 62 yards, the Raiders leaned on a strong ground game and timely defensive plays to secure the win. That experience, though far from perfect, could provide a valuable foundation as O’Connell prepares to face Patrick Mahomes and company once more.
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At 2-9, the Raiders find themselves staring down a difficult season and currently hold the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. If their struggles persist, the team may well be in a position to select a top-tier quarterback next spring—a decision they avoided in 2024. For now, however, O’Connell has a golden opportunity to audition for a long-term role in the franchise’s plans.
Interim head coach Antonio Pierce emphasized earlier in the season the importance of building toward the future, and Friday’s game will undoubtedly be a litmus test for O’Connell’s potential. A strong performance against one of the league’s premier defenses could bolster his case as a viable option moving forward, even as the Raiders look to rebuild.
The Raiders’ offense, plagued by inconsistency this year, will need more than just steady quarterback play to compete with the Chiefs. With a struggling offensive line and a receiving corps that has lacked explosive production, O’Connell’s ability to distribute the ball efficiently will be crucial. Additionally, the running game, which proved decisive in last year’s win over Kansas City, could once again play a pivotal role.
Defensively, the Raiders will need a near-flawless performance to contain Mahomes and the Chiefs’ high-octane offense. With Kansas City coming off a loss to the Eagles and eager to bounce back, Las Vegas faces an uphill battle. However, divisional matchups often bring surprises, and the Raiders will hope to rise to the occasion.
For O’Connell, this Black Friday showdown represents more than just another start. It’s a chance to rewrite his narrative, prove his resilience, and showcase his potential as a leader under center. As the Raiders aim to salvage pride in a tough season, all eyes will be on the young quarterback to see if he can deliver when it matters most.
Friday’s game will not only test the Raiders’ mettle but could also shape the trajectory of their offseason decisions. Whether O’Connell can seize the moment or the Chiefs reassert their dominance, one thing is certain: the stakes are high for both sides in this AFC West battle.
