The Las Vegas Raiders have their franchise quarterback in Fernando Mendoza and a veteran leader in Kirk Cousins, which has put former fourth-round pick Aidan O'Connell in an awkward spot. He is currently QB3, though his production in the NFL to this point makes him overqualified for such a role.
O'Connell could be enticing enough to get the Raiders a nice chunk of change on the trade market, as teams with uncertainty under center might be willing to kick an NFL Draft pick or two over Las Vegas' way.
The Raiders clearly have no plans for O'Connell to stick around for the 2027 NFL season once the Mendoza era properly kicks off, and trading O'Connell could be a way for John Spytek to net more picks and surround the young quarterback with even more talent.
These four teams will not only be willing to call the Raiders about a possible O'Connell trade, but their own lack of tremendous skill in this area could force them to possibly overpay in order secure the former Purdue backup for themselves.
4 teams desperate enough to trade for Raiders QB Aidan O'Connell
4. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts' quarterback room currently consists of Daniel Jones coming off an Achilles injury, an ultra-talented No. 4 pick in Anthony Richardson that they could not wait to send to the bench, and a youngster in Riley Leonard that they think so little of that they would rather drag Philip Rivers out of retirement than start him. O'Connell is a clear upgrade.
3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were pulling Cooper Rush off the street and giving first-team reps to an undrafted Division II player in Jack Strand after injuries to Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa. O'Connell's durability may be the trait Matt Ryan values the most in any trade, and that could give this room some much-needed stability.
2. New York Jets
After signing Dylan Parham and trading for Geno Smith, why not rebuild as much of the legendary 2025 Raiders offense as possible? O'Connell could come to the Jets if fourth-round rookie Cade Klubnik, who has been up-and-down at training camp, can't earn the QB2 role during his rookie season.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers created some serious controversy when they mishandled Baker Mayfield's contract negotiations. If something were to go even more wrong for that franchise, leaning on a quarterback room led by Jake Browning and undrafted free agent Jalon Daniels seems like a recipe for disaster.
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