This offseason, the Las Vegas Raiders failed to acquire a star quarterback or a quarterback with star potential. They made the decision to sign Gardner Minshew, a career backup who will face Aidan O’Connell, a 2023 fourth-round pick, in competition.
Still, others think that the Raiders might not be able to compete in 2024 with only those two. According to Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox, the team ought to think about trading for quarterback Taylor Heinicke of the Atlanta Falcons.
In a column published on July 18, Knox stated, “If the Las Vegas Raiders aren’t thrilled with how the competition between Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew is unfolding, they could have interest in Heinicke.”
“Scott Turner, the coordinator of the Raiders passing game, oversaw the offensive operations of the Washington Commanders in 2021 and 2022, during which time Heinicke made 24 starts for the team.”
The Falcons no longer require a backup quarterback with Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. joining the team in the summer. Knox stated that Heinicke is worth a fifth-round selection, which would be a decent deal for Atlanta given the likelihood that he won’t play much on the field in 2024.
Heinicke might not even make the active roster because many teams start the regular season with just two quarterbacks. Getting a fifth-round pick is preferable to losing him undrafted.
For the Las Vegas Raiders, adding Taylor Heinicke doesn’t make sense.
The Raiders wouldn’t be wise to trade for Heinicke, even though it would make sense for the Falcons to do so. Minshew and O’Connell are the team’s two backup quarterbacks currently.
Heinicke isn’t a better option than either. During the previous season, he had four starts and finished 1-3, throwing five touchdowns against four interceptions. That isn’t any better than Minshew and O’Connell, who play for the Raiders. As a starter, the former finished 7-6 last season, while the latter finished 5-5. Although all three of them are mediocre quarterbacks, having three of them is unnecessary.
Heinicke might make sense for Las Vegas if he were a free agent. Regardless of who is selected to start as quarterback, the Raiders already have a reliable backup quarterback. For a quarterback who would probably be third on the depth chart, the organization would not part with a fifth-round selection.
Davante Adams Is Grateful Aidan O’Connell
Early indicators suggest that O’Connell is the front-runner for the quarterback position. O’Connell displayed some impressive moments even though he was thrown into the starting lineup in the middle of the previous season. He completed his final four starts with a 3-1 record and an eight touchdown to zero interceptions ratio.
O’Connell has the admiration of star wide receiver Davante Adams, which will only increase his chances of being selected as the starting quarterback.
“I think Aidan will be able to feel much more comfortable, and I do believe in him,” Adams stated during the July 17 episode of “Club Shay Shay.” “We’re just going to grow and learn from each other, and he looked pretty good in OTAs.” I’ve always supported him wholeheartedly since, upon his arrival, he exuded confidence, excelled during the off-season and preseason, and demonstrated his potential to all. So like Aaron (Rodgers) and I, we just need to keep working.
Leave a Reply