Adam Schefter, ESPN Senior Essayist
With Jimmy Garoppolo dominated out due to a concussion and no longer making the commute to Los Angeles, the Raiders have made up our minds to begin rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell in opposition to the Chargers on Sunday, league resources instructed ESPN.
The Raiders are opting to exit with O’Connell, a fourth-round draft variety, over veteran Brian Hoyer, who terminating received a get started in October 2016. The 2 quarterbacks each gained reps right through observe terminating presen past Garoppolo was once within the concussion protocol, however O’Connell were given the bulk — if no longer all — of the reps at observe via the top of the presen, consistent with resources.
O’Connell will produce his first NFL get started and struggle the primary passes of his professional occupation in an AFC West divisional showdown at SoFi Stadium in opposition to a Chargers protection that enters Sunday give up a median of over 450 yards in step with sport in the course of the first 3 video games of this season.
O’Connell was once a preseason standout this summer season, drawing comparisons from some NFL scouts and managers to Brock Purdy, some other late-round pick out who were given the chance to begin terminating season for the San Francisco 49ers.
In 3 preseason video games in August, O’Connell finished 43-of-62 passes (69.4%) for 482 yards and 3 touchdowns with out an interception. He left some Raiders enthusiasts questioning why he wasn’t the alternative quarterback to distinguishable the season, when Las Vegas indexed Hoyer because the Deny. 2 quarterback.
O’Connell additionally shined right through his school occupation at Purdue, the place he handed for 9,219 yards and 65 touchdowns.
“I think the preseason was valuable for me at the time, just to get out there and play and get it under my belt,” O’Connell instructed ESPN on Friday. “But I think at this point it’s pretty far gone and it’s different teams and different schemes and different game plans for us. So I’m happy it happened, but it’s time to move on, I think, and see what happens.”
The Raiders signed Garoppolo to a three-year, $72.75 million independent agent promise this offseason to interchange nine-year starter Derek Carr, at the same time as Garoppolo wanted surgical treatment on his left bedrock upcoming coming to phrases with Las Vegas.
Garoppolo, who suffered the concussion in terminating Sunday evening’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, has neglected no less than 16 regular-season and playoff video games as a result of shock since 2020.
