Just in: Aidan O’Connell Receives Strong Support From Raiders Star

Just a few days after being chastised for the Raiders offense’s sloppy performance in Sunday’s 3-0 loss to the Vikings in Las Vegas, Aidan O’Connell was back on top with four touchdown passes and no interceptions against the same Chargers defense that had stifled him and sacked him seven times in his NFL debut back in Week 4. That was satisfying for Maxx Crosby, who was heartbroken on Sunday.

Crosby spoke on the “Pat McAfee Show” on Friday, and McAfee asked him, “Tell me about Aidan O’Connell, what a hilarious moustache.”

Crosby did not get into the stache, but he did send a strong message in support of O’Connell, the 25-year-old rookie whose future as a starter is in doubt. Crosby, for example, seemed to want him around, and Crosby has considerable power within the organization.

“Without a doubt, we adore Aidan O’Connell,” Crosby remarked. “You just see him getting better and better every week, as you can see by the dimes he’s dropping out there.” He’s feeling more and more at ease. It’s difficult. Playing quarterback is the most difficult position in football, and for a young man to come in halfway through the season and do what he is doing has been tremendous. We really believe in him and have his back. In the locker room, he just emanates confidence. Guys have certainly bought into it.”

Yes, Aidan O’Connell Is a Rookie

It’s difficult to recall that Aidan O’Connell is a rookie in what has been a pressure-packed and stressful season dating back to the conclusion of training camp (remember the Chandler Jones controversy?). He performed well in the preseason, raising optimism for his future with the organization, especially since free-agent addition Jimmy Garoppolo shown that he is still… well, Jimmy Garoppolo.

When coach Josh McDaniels was fired on Halloween, veterans like Davantae Adams and Maxx Crosby stated unequivocally that they wanted Aidan O’Connell to be the starting quarterback. However, expectations were perhaps too high, especially after the Raiders won two games against poor football clubs in the Giants and Jets.

In the NFL, rookies struggle. But O’Connell, along with rookies Tre Tucker and Michael Mayer (all of whom scored touchdown catches in Week 15), has taken it in stride and improved.

“I came in with those guys and we were talking today and yesterday about how far we’ve come and how different it is from when we first got here,” O’Connell told reporters. “The NFL is extremely difficult, especially in your first year.” It’s been amazing to go through it with those men and have similar experiences.”

Aidan O’Connell had a terrific first half on way to a 42-0 lead over the Chargers on Thursday, but coach Antonio Pierce didn’t want him to take the weight off the defense. A rookie may learn even in a rout. In general, the Raiders must improve their ability to finish games.

“His key message was don’t back down. “Keep your foot on the accelerator,” Maxx Crosby said. That’s what everyone was preaching because, while 42-0 at half is insane, it was only one half of football, and for us, even a couple of weeks ago, we play the Chiefs and are up 14-0, but we don’t finish the game well and lose.

“Then you got the Dolphins game where we lose by a touchdown and we didn’t finish the game the way we wanted to. So, regardless of the scoreboard we want to be at our best, you know, from start to finish. I think we did that.”