The previous season, the Raiders went through three starting quarterbacks before Aidan O’Connell took over for the remaining nine games.
As Jimmy Garoppolo’s backup entering the previous season, Brian Hoyer was ultimately overtaken by O’Connell. Hoyer is a fan of the young quarterback, so there are no hard feelings.
He was very complimentary of O’Connell. “He was third on the depth chart at the start of the season and he ended up finishing the entire year,” Hoyer said on July 2 on SiriusXM NFL Radio with Amber Theoharis.
“I thought it was amazing to watch his development and what he could accomplish as a fourth-round selection.”
For the Raiders, the 2023 season didn’t go as planned. Despite receiving a large salary to be a starter, Garoppolo was benched because to injuries and subpar performance.
During the season, it also contributed to Josh McDaniels’ dismissal as head coach. Hoyer was pleased with O’Connell’s growth in spite of the tumultuous circumstances.
“Having been there firsthand and seeing Aidan develop, I recall him saying, ‘I never thought this is how this year would play out,’ at the end of the year.” stated Hoyer. “Obviously, Jimmy Garoppolo started the first game, but Aidan was playing by the end of the season.”
Brian Hoyer Thought Team Should’ve Kept Bo Hardegree
The Raiders fired their playcaller, McDaniels, during the season. Mick Lombardi, the offensive coordinator, trailed him outside.
As a result, Bo Hardegree, the quarterbacks coach, assumed the roles of offensive coordinator and playcaller, roles he had never held previously.
It was Hoyer’s decision to disagree with the Raiders’ decision to release Hardegree this offseason. It took some time for things to perk up after Bo Hardegree came over as offensive coordinator in the midst of the season, but Hoyer expressed his surprise that they hadn’t even considered keeping him. “We obviously had the big game against the Chargers and had a successful year finale.”
After gaining additional experience, Hardegree could have a bright future as an offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans, where he was hired as their quarterbacks coach.
Brian Hoyer Wants Aidan O’Connell to Start
This offseason, the Raiders cut ties with Garoppolo and Hoyer and hired Garrett Minshew to challenge O’Connell for the starting quarterback position.
Although it’s too early in the process for the team to decide, Hoyer is rooting for O’Connell to be selected for the position. “Perhaps I’m biased, but I think what Aidan did last year really resonated with the guys.
I know he hasn’t demonstrated it as much as Gardner Minshew has in his career, but I know the guys were drawn to the way Aidan took charge and led as a young player.” Hoyer said.
Despite the fact that Minshew is an astute veteran, it’s clear that the Raiders are fascinated by O’Connell’s ability to be a full-time starter.
After the preseason games are done, there can be a close quarterback competition that needs to be settled. Since 2019, Austin Boyd has covered the Los Angeles Lakers and Las Vegas Raiders for Heavy.com.
Originally from Los Angeles and currently residing in Las Vegas, he has been featured on Heavy with interviews with NFL players Joe Montana and Darren Waller as well as an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek at “The Shop.”
