Tag: O’Connell

Sep 15, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce walks the field before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Raiders’ Pierce stands by ‘business decision’ comment; QB change possible

Posted on | by Field Level Media

On Monday, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce did not back away from comments he made about certain unnamed members of his team following Sunday’s 36-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Upset with the Raiders’ showing against the previously winless Panthers, Pierce was asked how concerned he was about his team’s effort in a game Las Vegas trailed by as many as 26 points.

“I don’t think it was the team. I think there was definitely some individuals that made business decisions,” Pierce said, “and we’ll make business decisions going forward as well.”

Come Monday’s day-after press conference, Pierce was asked about that particular remark and doubled down, saying, “I don’t bite my tongue.”

It tracked for the straight-talking 45-year-old, a former NFL linebacker selected to the 2006 Pro Bowl. Players gave Pierce a ringing endorsement for the Raiders’ head-coaching position after he guided them to a 5-4 finish as the interim coach following the midseason firing of Josh McDaniels in 2023.

Pierce told reporters he would address the team later on Monday and be “very direct.”

“Because it is what it is,” Pierce said, “and that’s what we’re gonna do, call a spade a spade.”

So far, the Raiders’ “business decisions” have not included a change at QB1.

Pierce didn’t rule out benching Gardner Minshew for Aidan O’Connell, merely saying he had to “get with the players and evaluate everything from (Sunday) first.”

Minshew completed 18 of 28 passes for 214 yards, one touchdown and one interception before O’Connell took over. O’Connell, who started 10 games for the Raiders last season, went 9-of-12 passing for 82 yards and a touchdown.

The Raiders’ issues appeared to be far deeper than the signal-caller. The offense gained just 55 rushing yards on 16 attempts, and the defense was gashed by Andy Dalton in his first start for the Panthers following Bryce Young’s benching.

“The effort wasn’t up to par as it had been in the previous games, and that showed up,” Pierce said. “That didn’t look good at the end of the game.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) passes the ball in the first half against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Aidan O’Connell is early leader in Raiders’ QB competition

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Aidan O’Connell started 10 games as a rookie for the Las Vegas Raiders and has shown further progression in the offseason.

So despite the addition of veteran Gardner Minshew, O’Connell is the early leader in the club’s quarterback battle.

“Aidan’s earned the right to go out there and earn the first snap,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said Friday. “What he’s done this offseason — changing his body, his work ethic, being here every day, blocking out the outside noise. He’s not worried about anything. I’m excited.

“Then you bring Gardner in here … talk about personality. … It’s great. It’s great for our building. It’s great for our quarterback room. And if you got competition in the quarterback room, what does every other room look at?”

O’Connell, 25, completed 62.1 percent of his passes for 2,218 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 11 games last season after being a fourth-round pick out of Purdue. He was 5-5 in his 10 starts.

He was especially good late in the season, firing eight touchdown passes against no interceptions over the final four games.

Minshew, who turns 28 next Thursday, was signed in the offseason as a free agent after spending last season with the Indianapolis Colts. He passed for 3,305 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 17 games (13 starts) and was a Pro Bowler for the first time.

But with the Colts committed to Anthony Richardson as their long-term option at quarterback, Minshew departed and chose the Raiders as his best option to get on the field in 2024.

Las Vegas general manager Tom Telesco says his team has two good options at quarterback competing for the job.

“That’s the plan is to have both those guys really compete through the offseason program, but more so in training camp, and we’ll see how it plays out,” Telesco said.

“I thought Aidan did an excellent job last year in a really difficult situation where the head coach changed, the (offensive) coordinator changed and he played really good football down the stretch. I’ve had a chance to be around him a little bit more in the building and you kind of see the quarterback intangibles that are there, which is nice to have, that you have to have as a franchise quarterback.

“And then with Gardner, you know, Gardner played well last year with the Colts. I mean, he was in the Pro Bowl, so obviously had a pretty good year. He’s always performed at a high level when he’s given that opportunity, so to have both those guys here competing for the job, we’ll see how it goes.”

Pierce is in his first full season as Raiders coach after replacing the fired Josh McDaniels at midseason and guiding Las Vegas to a 5-4 record over the final nine games. And he likes what he sees, while understanding that the season is still four months away.

“What I see is guys getting out there early,” Pierce said. “Aidan is already kind of taking the bull by the horn and he’s leading the way, and Minshew’s right there doing it as well.

“Two guys that played against each other last year, they went neck to neck. But I’m really excited to see what happens. I think it’s going to be a process. We’re going to stick to the process.”

–Field Level Media

Jan 7, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) looks at the big screen during second half of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings won’t trade Justin Jefferson; new deal was ‘close’ last year

Posted on | by Field Level Media

INDIANAPOLIS — Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has no interest in trading star wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

“That is not something that once crossed my mind,” Adofo-Mensah told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday. “You’ve got a blue(-chip) player, a blue(-chip) person. You try and keep as many of those as you can.”

Jefferson, the NFL Offensive Player of the Year two seasons ago, had his 2023 season interrupted by a hamstring injury but still finished with 68 receptions for 1,074 yards and five touchdowns. He’s entering the fifth and final year of his rookie contract.

Adofo-Mensah told reporters the Vikings got “unbelievably close” to an extension agreement with Jefferson last spring, but that those deals don’t tend to get done after a player’s third year because of the uncertainty on both ends.

According to the GM, the Vikings believe Jefferson should be among the highest-paid players in the league.

“We’ve said it, and we continue to say, we think he’s the best receiver in the league and should be compensated as such,” Adofo-Mensah said. “We think he’s one of the best non-quarterbacks in the league, and should be compensated as such. So we’ll continue to have those dialogues and those conversations.

“I promised (Jefferson and his camp), and I will continue to promise them, I will not talk about our negotiations. I think the job should be done with integrity. So a lot of stuff that I hear is completely false, but I can’t get up here and tell you what’s not true or not false, because that’s not that’s not how I promised them I would operate.”

The “completely false” stuff, as it turns out, includes considering a trade.

“We’re excited to have him and continue those conversations because he’s somebody we want around for a long time,” Adofo-Mensah said.

Among the question marks involved in Jefferson’s decision is who will be throwing him the ball long-term. Kirk Cousins, who will turn 36 before the start of the new season, will have his contract void March 13 unless the Vikings reach an extension with him.

Complicating matters, Cousins ruptured his right Achilles in late October and is in the middle of rehabbing the first major injury of his NFL career. He posted a video to social media Monday showing him backpedaling and throwing on an indoor tennis court.

“You know Kirk, obviously again, another person we’ve had these dialogues the past couple of seasons, had a great conversation with him a few days ago,” Adofo-Mensah said. “Same thing, though, with the other day. It’s, we have our interests. He has his. We’ll get to the table to see if we can figure out a creative solution and kind of meet in the middle. That’s what every contract negotiation is. And that’s what it’ll be with him.”

The GM said Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has talked with Jefferson about the team’s quarterback situation.

“I think any great player, especially a wide receiver should want to have a great quarterback, who’s accurate and is gonna throw him the football when he’s open,” Adofo-Mensah said. “And he gets open better than anybody else in the league. So that is something that’s important.

“… I think you got to treat players like partners, you got to bring them in and have those conversations with them. And that’s something we’ll do with Justin.”

–Field Level Media

Aug 13, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) and quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) watch from the sidelines against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders undecided on starting QB vs. Chargers

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Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach Antonio Pierce has yet to name his starting quarterback for Thursday’s game against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers.

“We’re still going through that process,” Pierce said Wednesday. “Got a couple more hours. See how it’s going.”

Rookie Aidan O’Connell has struggled since assuming the starting role for the Raiders (5-8), who saw their losing skid extend to three games following a lackluster 3-0 setback to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. O’Connell threw for just 171 yards and an interception in that loss.

“I never said Aidan wasn’t the starter, let’s say that first and foremost,” Pierce said. “We’re still evaluating it. If there’s a chance to get better, a chance to improve, a chance to put us in position to win, we gotta get all the factors that go into it.”

O’Connell, 25, has completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 1,365 yards with four touchdowns and seven interceptions in seven games this season. He was selected by Las Vegas in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Jimmy Garoppolo, 32, was benched after Josh McDaniels was fired as the team’s head coach on Nov. 1. Garoppolo had completed 65.5 percent of his throws for 1,205 yards with seven touchdowns and nine picks in six games this season.

Brian Hoyer, 38, has completed 23 of 42 passes for 231 yards with two interceptions in three games this season.

–Field Level Media

Nov 27, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs (15) warms up before the game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings to review QB options after Joshua Dobbs’ 4-INT night

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Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs threw four interceptions in a 12-10 loss to the Chicago Bears on Monday, throwing open the possibility Minnesota prepares another starter during the upcoming bye week.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell said he considered pulling Dobbs during the loss and turning to Nick Mullens.

He plans to give that option more thought during the bye as the Vikings (6-6) attempt to recover from back-to-back losses by a combined three points.

“We’re going to take a look and really evaluate the inventory of plays we have of Josh,” said O’Connell. “We got healthy. We got Jaren (Hall) back available to us, and then Nick Mullens is available as well.”

Dobbs said he let the team down by not making enough plays to get the win, crediting the defense for doing its part.

“Bye week, everyone will come back rejuvenated. I’ll be better, we’ll be better,” Dobbs said.

The Vikings acquired the 28-year-old Dobbs, who is playing for his seventh NFL team, days after losing starting quarterback Kirk Cousins to a season-ending Achilles injury.

He led a comeback win off the bench in his first game at Atlanta in Week 9.

–Field Level Media

Oct 8, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson draws closer to return from injury

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson is trending toward making his return to the lineup from a hamstring injury this Sunday at Denver.

Jefferson was a limited participant at practice Thursday for the second straight day.

Minnesota opened Jefferson’s 21-day window to return from injured reserve last week. Jefferson, who has not played since Oct. 8, said then that he wouldn’t return to the field until he felt 100 percent, and he underscored that stance in comments Thursday.

“Well, I’m the main person who’s gonna make the decision,” Jefferson told reporters. “At the end of the day, I’m the person that’s going out there running, putting my body on the line to win games.”

Jefferson, 24, suffered the hamstring injury during a Week 5 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He has 36 catches for 571 yards and three TDs this season.

He said he is working on building up his endurance day by day, hoping for minimal soreness in the hamstring as he increases what he does at practice. Jefferson had previously explained that hamstring injuries can linger, “and it comes back from time to time if you don’t put the right treatment into it.”

The Vikings (6-4) have won five straight and are 2-0 since Joshua Dobbs took over at quarterback following injuries to Kirk Cousins and rookie Jaren Hall. They are just 1 1/2 games behind the Detroit Lions in the NFC North race.

Coach Kevin O’Connell said Wednesday that his star wideout was in “that day-to-day, ramping-him-up phase,” and the team would determine whether he could be activated in time for the Broncos game.

“I know how I feel. I know how my hamstring is feeling,” Jefferson said. “Of course, we’re going to weigh all the different opinions and what everyone has to say. But at the end of the day, I’m the one that’s going out there and putting my body on the line.”

Dobbs is on the team’s injury report with an ankle issue but practiced in full Wednesday and Thursday. Cornerback Akayleb Evans (calf) missed practice for the second straight day. Tight end T.J. Hockenson (ribs) and running back Alexander Mattison (concussion) were limited.

–Field Level Media

Nov 5, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs (15) jumps over Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Kentavius Street (75) during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings plan to start QB Joshua Dobbs vs. Saints

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The Vikings are planning to start Joshua Dobbs at quarterback this week against the visiting New Orleans Saints, Minnesota coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters Monday.

Dobbs said rookie quarterback Jaren Hall is in the concussion protocol, along with wide receiver K.J. Osborn. Both players left Sunday’s win against the Atlanta Falcons with head injuries.

Dobbs — acquired five days before the game in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals — replaced Hall on short notice and guided the Vikings to a come-from-behind, 31-28 victory. Dobbs had a 22-yard scramble late in the game to set up the game-winning touchdown pass to Brandon Powell.

O’Connell said Dobbs will take all the first-team reps in practice this week for the Vikings (5-4), who have won four straight heading into Sunday’s game with the visiting Saints (5-4).

The Vikings are already down Kirk Cousins (torn Achilles) and Nick Mullens (back) at the position, in addition to Hall. Mullens could be activated from injured reserve this week, but O’Connell was not sure of his progress.

Dobbs’ season began in Arizona after the Cardinals, who had to start the season without Kyler Murray, acquired him from the Cleveland Browns at the end of training camp. In eight starts for the Cardinals, Dobbs had 1,569 passing yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions on a 62.8 percent completion rate, plus three rushing TDs.

For the Vikings on Sunday, Dobbs went 20-for-30 for 158 yards and two touchdown passes.

O’Connell also confirmed that running back Cam Akers suffered a ruptured Achilles in the game at Atlanta.

Acquired from the Los Angeles Rams early in the season, Akers appeared in six games for Minnesota and rushed 38 times for 138 yards and one touchdown. He added 11 receptions for 70 yards.

–Field Level Media

Oct 8, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson ‘down’ as team awaits test results

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is hurting in more ways than one.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell said on Monday the Vikings are in a holding pattern awaiting MRI test results to determine the severity of a hamstring injury that forced Jefferson out of Minnesota’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

O’Connell said Jefferson, who has 36 receptions for 571 yards and three touchdowns after five games in 2023, is “down” at the moment because of his competitive nature.

“We’re going to do what’s best for Justin and make sure we give him the treatment and plan that is a big picture positive for him,” O’Connell said.

The NFL’s third-leading receiver this season behind Tyreek Hill of the Dolphins and Puka Nacua of the Rams has never missed a game in his career.

O’Connell said the Vikings plan to solicit multiple opinions on treatment and a timeline to return, which will delay the relay of information from the team on the extent of the injury.

“There will probably be a couple different opinions on it. We’ve got to get the MRI of it and take look and find out exactly what it is, where it is, if there’s any other factors that go into it and determine what the best decision for him to get him back to 100 percent as fast as possible,” O’Connell said. “He’s down today. He obviously is one of the most ultra-competitors I’ve ever met, and shoot, he was trying to go back in the game as it was (Sunday).

“So we’re going to have to medically make a good decision and help kind of almost protect him from himself a little bit in a way where we’ve got to take care of him and get him back to 100 percent.”

Rookie first-round pick Jordan Addison is likely to assume a larger role in the offense with Jefferson on the shelf.

Addison had six receptions for 64 yards and one touchdown against the Chiefs and has 19 receptions for 249 yards this season. Tight end T.J. Hockenson is second on the team in receptions (30-254-2).

Quarterback Kirk Cousins said there’s an obvious concern without Jefferson in the offense but voiced a positive outlook for Addison this week and beyond.

“Jordan’s the real deal,” Cousins said. “We hit on that draft pick. He’s a great player, he’s the real deal.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 24, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) throws the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders QB Jimmy Garoppolo (concussion) ruled out vs. Chargers

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will miss Sunday’s road game against the Los Angeles Chargers due to the concussion he sustained in Week 3.

The Raiders ruled out Garoppolo on Saturday afternoon after the latest round of tests with medical personnel. He was injured during last Sunday night’s 23-18 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Either veteran Brian Hoyer or fourth-round draft pick Aidan O’Connell will start against the Chargers.

Garoppolo is in his first season as Las Vegas quarterback after the organization moved on from Derek Carr.

His play has been shaky through three games. Garoppolo has thrown a league-worst six interceptions in just 94 pass attempts while throwing for 709 yards and five touchdowns.

The Raiders had listed Garoppolo as questionable after Friday’s practice.

Hoyer, 37, has started 40 games over his 15-year NFL career and has a 16-24 record. However, he has lost his last 12 starts dating to Week 4 of the 2016 season.

“I’ve been a starter, I’ve been a backup,” Hoyer told reporters during the week. “The mentality is always prepare to play and then go out and execute when your name’s called.”

O’Connell is a rookie from Purdue who impressed during the preseason. He passed for 9,219 yards, 65 touchdowns and 30 interceptions for the Boilermakers (2019-22). The yardage ranks sixth in Purdue history and the TD passes are fifth.

The Raiders also ruled out cornerback Nate Hobbs (ankle). In addition, the club said running back Brandon Bolden didn’t travel with the team due to a personal matter, but he is expected to rejoin the team in Los Angeles and play Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Nov 26, 2022; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Aidan O'Connell (16) looks to throw a quick pass during the second quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

Purdue QB Aidan O’Connell away from team after brother’s death

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Purdue quarterback Aidan O’Connell is away from the team and with family in Illinois after his older brother, Sean, died late last week.

The Boilermakers believe O’Connell will rejoin the team in time to play in Saturday’s Big Ten title game against Michigan in Indianapolis.

O’Connell completed 18 of 29 passes for 290 yards and two touchdowns in this past Saturday’s 30-16 win over Indiana in Bloomington to help clinch the Big Ten West division title.

He was seen crying into a towel in the final minutes of the game and didn’t speak to reporters afterward.

But Sunday, he released a statement through the Purdue football Twitter account to announce the death of his brother. The cause of death wasn’t revealed.

“My family and I would like to express our gratitude for the love and support we have received over the past few days,” O’Connell said in the statement. “We are deeply saddened to share of the passing of my oldest brother, Sean.

“Sean was not only one of Purdue football’s biggest fans, but he was a better son, brother and friend. He lit up any room he walked in and all that knew him testify to his contagious joy.”

Boilermakers coach Jeff Brohm remains amazed over O’Connell’s efforts and leadership on Saturday.

“He played his heart out for his teammates and gave us a great effort,” Brohm said Monday of the performance. “Of course, he’s got things he has to deal with this week, but we’ll be there to support him and whenever we get him back to work, we look forward to that.”

Purdue (8-4, 6-3 Big Ten) has received solid play from O’Connell, who has passed for 3,124 yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions this season.

Overall, he has passed for 8,853 yards, 65 touchdowns and 28 interceptions in his career. The yardage ranks sixth in Purdue history and the touchdowns passes are fifth, but he stands just six scoring tosses shy of second-place Mark Herrmann (1977-80).

His career completion rate of 66.6 percent ranks first in program history.

–Field Level Media