Raiders Reveal Pivotal Aidan O’Connell Update Amid Geno Smith’s Struggles
he Las Vegas Raiders finally got back into the win column in Week 6 with a 20-10 win over the Tennessee Titans. However, the win was more thanks to a defense that forced two turnovers and held the Titans to 10 points than had to due with quarterback Geno Smith.
The Raiders traded for Smith this offseason, but he hasn’t been living up to the contract they gave him. With another interception thrown against the Titans, Smith became the first quarterback to throw 10 interceptions in the first six games of the season since 2020.
The Raiders traded for Kenny Pickett before the season, but may not be keen on playing him. Aidan O’Connell started seven games for the team last season and was set to be Smith’s backup before a fractured wrist led to him being placed on Injured Reserve.
Fortunately for O’Connell and the Raiders, he could be nearing a return. Head coach Pete Carroll revealed that the quarterback has begun to throw the ball again, and also gave an update on injured defensive back Lonnie Johnson Jr.
“Both those guys are doing great in their rehab. … Aidan’s throwing the ball, Lonnie’s on the field running,” Carroll said of O’Connell and Johnson on Monday. “It’s just a matter of this week, next kind of thing, so we’re in good shape with those guys.”
Carroll noted that the Raiders‘ upcoming bye week could give the two the chance to return by Week 9, but that remains to be seen.
Will O’Connell Take Over as Backup QB When He Returns?
O’Connell has played well as the starter for the Raiders at times, but he had a rough preseason before he got hurt. It was looking like he could’ve gotten traded or cut.
Despite the fact that the Raiders knew he’d have a chance to come back during the season, they still traded a fifth-round pick to the Cleveland Browns for Pickett. Once he returns, the team might have a choice to make.
O’Connell should know the personnel and the offense better than Pickett, but he also has limited upside. Pickett’s a former first-round pick and has been practicing with the team. It’s hard to imagine O’Connell will supplant him as the backup quarterback immediately, but he could have a chance to move up the depth chart as the season goes on.
Smith Talks Titans Win
A big issue facing Smith is that he hasn’t had a single good game for the Raiders yet. The only game he didn’t throw an interception in was the 41-24 loss to the Washington Commanders.
Against the Titans, Smith was just OK and had another interception. He admitted that he needs to be better.
“It wasn’t as clean as I would like, obviously, I can’t throw an interception in that situation,” Smith said after Sunday’s win. “I was trying to dirt the ball. I told Coach [Pete Carroll] I need to go jump in the lake, or ocean or something. It’s just a lot of bad luck stuff happening to me, but I’m in control of that.
“When our defense plays the way that they play today, when Devin [White] goes out there makes the plays that he made, Maxx [Crosby] is out there, disrupting the game all game long. Those guys flying around giving us the energy, the crowd getting involved, and then us, playing clean for the most part.”
Key takeaways from Chicago Bears' breakthrough win over Commanders in Week 6
The Chicago Bears defeated the Washington Commanders, 25-24, on Monday Night Football, thanks to a last-second field goal by Jake Moody that sent Jayden Daniels packing.
It's a very different feeling than what this team experienced in 2024, when Daniels connected with Noah Brown on the final play of the game -- the infamous Fail Mary -- to send the Bears' season into a tailspin.
One of the biggest reasons why this year's outcome was different was the performance of D'Andre Swift and the running game.
Swift ended Week 6 with 108 rushing yards, 67 receiving yards, and a touchdown
Swift ran with power and explosion. He deserves all his flowers. But he also -- finally -- had the benefit of some wide running lanes thanks to what was clearly the best run-blocking performance of the year by Chicago's offensive line.
Perhaps new left tackle Theo Benedet was the missing piece to unlock Ben Johnson's ground game.
Johnson met with reporters after the game and summarized the team's stunning victory. He noted that Swift and Moody received game balls for their effort, and was especially proud of how the running game took control when it mattered most.
Check out all of his post-game comments:
The Chicago Bears have now won three games in a row, and have another winnable contest up next week at home against the New Orleans Saints.
There's a good chance the Bears could be riding a four-game winning streak when they travel to Baltimore to take on the Ravens in Week 8, who are expected to have Lamar Jackson back in the fold.
