Who Should I Start? Aidan O'Connell or Stetson Bennett IV

Wednesday, November 19, 3:15 PM

The Las Vegas Raiders announced on Wednesday that they activated quarterback Aidan O'Connell (wrist) from Injured Reserve. O'Connell has missed all of the 2025 season to this point after suffering a fractured right wrist in the preseason. It's possible that Geno Smith's poor play could open the door for O'Connell to make starts under center for the Raiders before the end of the year, but it's unclear if that's potentially in play as early as Week 12 when the team takes on the visiting Cleveland Browns this Sunday. Kenny Pickett has been serving as Smith's backup for the first 11 weeks of the season, but O'Connell could quickly jump him on the depth chart now that he's back. The 27-year-old has a 62.6% completion rate in his two years in the NFL, throwing for 3,830 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 20 games (17 starts).

Saturday, August 16, 11:34 PM

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett IV completed 28 of his 40 pass attempts for 324 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception during Saturday's preseason win over the Los Angeles Chargers. He also took a sack and rushed for four yards. Bennett led four successful scoring drives, including a game-winning touchdown drive that put the Rams ahead with just 10 seconds left in the fourth quarter. He has played the entirety of the Rams' first two preseason games, totaling five touchdowns and just one interception. He has a firm grasp on the third-string quarterback role behind Matthew Stafford and Jimmy Garoppolo, and given that both of those players are older veterans who could be near the ends of their careers, Bennett's strong preseason could bode well as he auditions for a larger role in the future.