Aidan

O'Connell

O’Connell entered the game in relief of Kenny Pickett, who was yanked in the first half after a rough start. It was the first game action of 2025 for O’Connell, who missed most of the season with a wrist injury. Signed through the 2026 season, O’Connell will likely return to the Raiders as a backup or third-string quarterback.

Pickett appeared to be benched after throwing a first quarter interception on an intermediate pass attempt, but he did return at one point as the Raiders split snaps between Aidan O’Connell and Pickett. Pickett enters free agency without much on his side other than youth. Pickett played for four teams in four seasons of his rookie contract and is a candidate to be a backup in 2026.

Has anyone tried asking the Raiders to be normal? We’re just asking questions here. Carroll said both players would play. Neither player is worth rostering in superflex leagues in Week 18. O’Connell has probably performed like a better quarterback but spent all season buried on the depth chart for reasons that defy rational explanation.

It appears as though Smith’s season is over. Earlier today, Vegas Nation’s Vincent Bonsignore reported that the Raiders will use “a combination of Kenny Pickett and Aidan O’Connell” this week. Neither player should be in starting lineups, in what sounds like some sort of game-day platoon. In his first season with the Raiders, Smith completed 302-of-448 passes for 3,025 yards, 19 touchdowns and 17 interceptions, while rushing 41 times for 109 yards. He is under contract through 2027, though he is owed no money that season. If the Raiders were to cut him this offseason, it would cost them $18.5 million in dead money while saving them $8 million.

Bonsignore seems to imply both players will take reps in Week 18. Pickett has been the first player off the bench, so we assume he will get the start. Should the Raiders actually employ a two-quarterback game plan, neither player should be anywhere near a re-draft or DFS lineup.

Bech injured his back on Friday. Although the Raiders’ (2-13) season is lost, a Week 17 absence could be consequential for Bech down the road. This was an opportunity for the underwhelming rookie to put a positive performance on film. He produced career highs in targets (six), receptions (six) and receiving yards (50) in Week 14. Hopefully, he can get healthy enough to play in Week 18 against the Chiefs.

Mayer has been sidelined since injuring his ankle in Week 12 against the Browns. Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said he expects rookie WR Jack Bech to be more involved with Thornton, a fellow rookie, sidelined this week. Thornton has caught just 8-of-25 targets for 123 yards this season, though, so his absence in the passing game is hardly significant. Bech should not be started against the Broncos’ elite defense. Raiders EDGE Maxx Crosby (knee) is active, as expected.

Mayer was unable to practice all week, rehabbing an ankle injury. He has had bouts of fantasy relevance this year when Brock Bowers has been sidelined, but the Raiders haven’t built a consistent enough passing game for anyone but Bowers to be an easy start. O’Connell will be available to the team as the emergency third quarterback. Holmes’ illness-induced absence against a talented Chargers passing attack is unfortunate. Raiders DT Adam Butler (illness) is active, though.

O’Connell was activated from injured reserve earlier this week. He is currently behind Kenny Pickett on the depth chart.

O’Connell went down with the wrist injury in the Raiders’ preseason finale. The team then acquired Kenny Pickett to back up Geno Smith. With how poorly Smith has played this year, there’s a remote chance O’Connell sees action late in the season. However, that isn’t something we expect to see anytime soon.