Aidan O’Connell exploded against the Houston Texans, leading the Las Vegas Raiders to their highest point total for a single game in team history with him as the starter. It took him only three possessions, 23 plays, 195 yards, two touchdowns, and just over ten minutes (10:29, to be exact) to completely flip that game around. This guy put on a show!
O’Connell Is Creating Options Las Vegas Needs
This isn’t just a feel-good preseason story, it is about real value for the Raiders. As a former 4th-round pick still on a rookie deal, O’Connell can even play as the #3 quarterback without having to be declared active. That’s flexibility! His biggest asset, though, might be his potential trade value. If another team wants a capable veteran option at a low cost, he is showcasing it. Now, let’s look at the doomsday scenario the Raiders are probably thinking about: if the offensive line’s pass protection struggles keep up, and the receivers do not respond to head coach Klint Kubiak’s challenges. Kirk Cousins starts the season, and if something happens to him, O’Connell could be the guy. The plan seems to be protecting number-one overall pick Fernando Mendoza from being thrown to the wolves too early. O’Connell can keep showing what he can do before his free agency, and there is absolutely no need to cut or move him unless an impressive offer hits their desk. He’s a chess piece, and he’s playing it perfectly.
The Defensive Line Is Eating
While O’Connell lit up the scoreboard, a couple of defensive guys were absolutely making plays, too. Cian Slone, the former Wolfpack edge rusher, has been an eye-opener with 43 snaps across two games. He racked up 5 tackles, 4 quarterback hits, 2 pressures (one even led to an interception), and a sack. How? Pure hustle and technique! This guy has perfected running the hoop, and his lateral quickness and change of direction are incredibly fast. He hustles to the echoes of the whistle, grabbing multiple second-chance opportunities and capitalizing on them. Then there’s Pat Johnson, showing up big in both games. He has sacked the quarterback in both games and forced a game-changing fumble against the Texans. With multiple run stuffs per game, Johnson is outplaying nearly every defensive end on the roster. He may not be the biggest defensive end, but you’d never know it. He has climbed from the bottom of the depth chart to starting with the twos against Houston’s ones. He is without a doubt a rotational piece the Raiders defense will need in 2026.
The Untapped Potential of Fatukasi
Folorunso Fatukasi only had one preseason outing, and it was against a former team, but he brought a push up front that the Raiders defense just has not seen all preseason. He collapsed the pocket, created pressure multiple times, fought through double teams, and stuffed the run. Size up front is a known issue for this defense; if Fatukasi can continue to provide that push up the middle, that could be massive for them.
This preseason is showing some real gems for the Raiders. O’Connell is making the QB situation way more interesting, and guys like Slone, Johnson, and Fatukasi are bringing the juice on defense. Keep an eye on these names as the rest of the preseason rolls out. Who else will step up and demand a roster spot?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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