Raiders Rookie QB Declares God ‘Brought Me’ to New Starting Position

Published: November 9, 2023

Raiders Rookie QB Declares God ‘Brought Me’ to New Starting Position

By Movieguide® Contributor

The Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Aiden O’Connell credits God for his new starting position.

The beginning of the Raiders’ season has been fraught with turnover. Head coach Josh McDaniels was fired mid-season, and the team’s quarterback was replaced as O’Connell was named the new starting quarterback.

“I think for me, it’s my faith,” he said about his new position. “I think, you know, I’m a Christian, and I think that in good and bad in life, the Lord has obviously brought me to this point. I’ve learned more than anything that when He wants me to play. I’ll play [when He wants], and when He doesn’t, I won’t. So, you know I definitely rest in that and sleep easier.”

O’Connell opened up about the process of stepping into the role.

“It was obviously a crazy few days,” he said. “So, I found out yesterday and you know these conversations happen quick because we got to get going and start getting to work, so they’ve again voiced their confidence in me and have been super supportive of me. So, again just them being confident in me and showing that has been huge for me.”

“The Lord has brought me to this point.”

Aidan O’Connell speaks on how his faith gives him confidence to step in and perform as a rookie taking over the starting QB job for the Raiders.

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In a separate post-game press conference, O’Connell alluded to the unexpected changes the Raiders have experienced.

“To have a coaching shift this early on was definitely unexpected,” he said. “I think our guys around me just did a great job instilling confidence in me and allowed my job to be a lot easier.”

Interim head coach Antonio Pierce added, “[O’Connell] did a really good job of being poised. He handled the tempo that we had early on…He looked totally different than the guy that first started. Just like any rookie, more opportunities and more reps, the better you get.”

Before the Raiders, O’Connell played quarterback for Purdue University. However, he struggled to get much play time at the start of his college career. Regardless, O’Connell was committed to his school and team.

“Even if I had never played a snap at Purdue, I would have stayed,” he told the university. “I love my teammates and the school, and my FCA experience has highlighted my time here.”

Ultimately, the quarterback hopes to serve as an NFL chaplain.

“I think my dream job would be to become an NFL chaplain, like Sean Pugh,” he said. “It would allow me to connect my spiritual and football worlds, which would be perfect.”

The quarterback is open about his faith on social media. His Instagram bio declares, “Christ Follower.”