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GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 23: Quarterback Aidan O'Connell #12 of the Las Vegas Raiders reacts on the sidelines during first half of the NFL preseason 2025 game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on August 23, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Las Vegas Raiders believe they are in a great spot regarding the situation at quarterback with the additions of Fernando Mendoza and Kirk Cousins, which opens up the discussion regarding Aidan O’Connell’s value as a trade asset.
O’Connell, 27, has been one of the better QBs in recent memory for the Raiders, throwing for 3,932 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 21 career games, and is known for having the Kansas City Chiefs’ number with two victories against them as the starter.
However, he’s currently slated to be QB3 in the roster behind Mendoza and Cousins, and questions over his trade value have been talked about among fans and analysts alike.
“Aidan O’Connell is a holdover and isn’t expected to remain with the organization past training camp,” Justin Melo of NFL Draft SI wrote.
However, according to NFL.com writer Nick Shook, his take on O’Connell suggests the veteran QB’s trade value could be higher than initially expected.
GettyAidan O’Connell #12 of the Las Vegas Raiders looks to pass during the second quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Shook ranked the top 15 quarterbacks on rookie contracts heading into the 2026 NFL season, and has O’Connell at 12, ahead of notable QBs that include Minnesota Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy and Cleveland Browns‘ Shedeur Sanders.
“O’Connell has successfully carved out what will be a long career spent as a trusty backup in the NFL,” Shook wrote. “As of now, that includes a rookie contract that is scheduled to account for just $3.8 million in cap space for the Raiders in 2026, a number low enough to afford them the opportunity to sign Cousins and build out a strong three-man quarterback room. Whether his future exists in Las Vegas or elsewhere, O’Connell will continue to cash checks for years to come, and they’ll always be affordable. And when a team is in a pinch, it can toss the former Purdue Boilermaker out there and know he can keep the ship afloat.”
With McCarthy, in particular, also in talks about whether he’ll be traded out of Minnesota, having O’Connell ranked above him is noteworthy.
The 31 other NFL teams all know what O’Connell is capable of, and despite being knocked down the depth chart, Las Vegas could manage to squeeze a pick as high as a fourth-round selection in 2027 for O’Connell’s services, rather than a late sixth or seventh-round pick.
Mendoza isn’t taking anything for granted and is working hard to make sure he’s successful on Day 1.
“I’m just trying to take it all in and get better every single day, pay attention to detail, and [connect] with teammates,” Mendoza said. “It’s so great. Rookie camp, all coming together as an offense, defense, special teams [and] as a team together to have core coherent practices so it can all get better at football.”
He’s even working overtime, taking 25 to 50 snaps under center with each offensive lineman.
“I gotta prove myself,” Mendoza added.
Whether Mendoza is the starter come Week 1 is up to Klint Kubiak and the rest of the Raiders coaching staff to decide, but bringing in a veteran like Cousins would be huge even if he isn’t the starter.
“If that’s not me, I don’t want to be out there,” Cousins said after noting he believes ‘the best player needs to play.’ “I don’t think that’s the best thing for the team. If I am the best option, then I believe it’s important that those guys are out there. …At his [Fernando Mendoza’s] stage, he’s much ahead of me.”
The expectation is that Cousins will be the starter in Week 1 with Mendoza waiting in the wings. As far as O’Connell is concerned, he may serve Las Vegas best as a trade asset.
Isaac Zuniga is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Chicago Bears and Las Vegas Raiders. More about Isaac Zuniga
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