Key Takeaways:
• For his rookie season, Aidan O’Connell donned the No. 4 jersey once worn by veteran Derek Carr, but later decided to change to No. 12.
• O’Connell revealed that he felt uncomfortable wearing Carr’s number as it could be seen as disrespectful.
• The decision of Raiders management, Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler, to assign No. 4 jersey to O’Connell immediately after Carr’s departure was debateably insensible.
• O’Connell and Gardner Minshew, both striving for the Raiders’ starting quarterback position, are ranked as the 30th-best in the NFL.
O’Connell Honors Carr by Changing Jersey Number
Rumors circulated when Aidan O’Connell was assigned No. 4 jersey, previously worn by franchise veteran, Derek Carr. Now, O’Connell has finally addressed the controversy – and it turns out, he wasn’t thrilled with the move either. He wore the number throughout his rookie season, but early in this offseason, O’Connell switched to No. 12, a significant decision that he felt validated Carr’s contributions to the Las Vegas Raiders.
In a recent episode of the podcast “The Rush with Maxx Crosby,” O’Connell opened up about his choice. He clarified that he didn’t pick No. 4 and felt it was disrespectful to Carr, who had served as the franchise quarterback for nine seasons. Concurrently, O’Connell was cognizant of the history linked to the No. 12 jersey — it was previously worn by Raiders’ legend Ken Stabler.
Controversial Assigning of Carr’s Number
The decision to assign No. 4 jersey to a new quarterback shortly after Carr’s departure raised eyebrows. Carr had a tumultuous last season with the Raiders. Benched for the final two games of 2022, his relationship with the team soured, which led to his refusal to waive his no-trade clause. The Athletic’s Vic Tafur speculated that this decision might have been a petty, tit-for-tat reaction from Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler, who were subsequently fired during the season.
O’Connell and Minshew Vie for Starting Quarterback
Meanwhile, as O’Connell switches his jersey number, he’s engaged in a battle of prowess and skill with co-team member, Gardner Minshew. Both aim for the same coveted position – the Raiders’ starting quarterback. However, Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema doesn’t hold high expectations for the duo.
In a recent assessment, Sikkema ranked them as the 30th-best starting quarterback for 2024. While their passing grades were close – O’Connell recorded a 64.6 and Minshew a 60.6 – neither figure is impressive enough to stand out amidst the talent-laden NFL magnates. Even if O’Connell was a tad more efficient with a higher big-time throw rate and adjusted completion percent, it’s evident that both the players have quite a bit to prove.
In Conclusion
Despite the competitive atmosphere in the quest for the starting position, O’Connell is evidently considerate of his team’s legacy, indicative of his decision to change jersey numbers. While questions linger around the duo’s potential as quarterbacks, they’ll definitely strive to live up to their raft of challengers – and hopefully to their jersey predecessors as well.
It’s no easy task wearing the colors once graced by renowned players such as Carr and Stabler. As Raiders’ fans watch closely, the upcoming season will be monumental for both O’Connell and Minshew, as they try to carve their own niches in the rich tapestry of the fabled franchise.